Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on social inclusion, children and integration met on 13 February 2008 and is scheduled to meet again on 26 November 2008.

The cross-departmental team on housing, infrastructure and PPPs has met on six occasions this year, most recently on 23 September 2008. It is due to hold two further meetings before the end of the year, one tomorrow, 12 November, and the other on 9 December. The role of the cross-departmental team is to assist in progressing and resolving issues related to infrastructure planning and delivery, and ensuring that they are adequately prepared for consideration by the relevant Cabinet committee and, where necessary, by the Government.

Questions about the business actually conducted at Cabinet committees or cross-departmental team meetings have never been allowed in the House on the grounds that they are internal to Government. Questions about the delivery of any particular infrastructure project, housing policy or the role of PPPs should be directed to the responsible Minister.

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