Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am well aware there were a number of issues raised, some of which were not germane while others were. I assure the House that all members of my parliamentary party are aware of the issues. I do not have any issue with the result; the issue is where we go from here. I do not have a problem with having statements or a debate tomorrow before I go to Brussels. I would have thought it better to have a debate after the meeting of the European Council as it would be a means of having the full range of comprehensive issues available to the House. There will not be a solution on Thursday but that is not to suggest that we do not have serious business to conduct on Thursday and I intend discharging that responsibility to the best of my ability. I have no problem with a debate tomorrow and I will ask the Whips to discuss it.

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