Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We need to find a new legal basis on which to organise it. It cannot be simply done without changing the legal basis of the current arrangements. We need legislation and I do not see a way around that. I do not see an interim arrangement other than legislation that meets the requirements of the situation.

With regard to the transposition of directives and regulations, there are many issues about which we all heard during the campaign, some of which were not germane to the treaty. We must analyse the result and take into account all considerations to see what we can do to assist people at home and elsewhere in reducing their anxiety, concerns or perceptions about the implementation of directives. In most cases, they are transposed and the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity apply. We can examine specific issues that came up to see if there is room to manoeuvre other than what we have been able to establish so far. There is not in many cases but we need to try to be practical in the application of some directives.

Discussions on Dáil reform are ongoing. The Government Chief Whip is only six weeks in office and I am sure he will take on board many of the proposals made previously to see if progress can be made.

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