Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I have three matters to raise. I wish to ask the Taoiseach about plans at EU level for the small business Act for the European Union that will be implemented in directive form. Does the Government have a particular position on it and will any such position be published in advance of negotiations on the directive? This is a particularly important directive in terms of targeting red tape and reducing bureaucracy for small and medium sized businesses across the EU and also in the light of the vote on the Lisbon treaty.

Second, is the Taoiseach aware that the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and his advisers have been making commitments to residents and the media on the amendment of the planning legislation regarding CPO procedures? It is particularly relevant because it has been in the newspapers in recent days. It is especially relevant to my constituency given that we have had a maverick——

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