Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The heads of the first Bill referred to by the Deputy were cleared last week and that work is proceeding as a matter of priority.

On the question of the code of practice regarding mortgage issues being put on a statutory basis, that is being prepared and will be brought forward. The Financial Regulator is finalising arrangements in regard to how it will work and it should be available shortly.

On the question of the foreshore Bill, I indicated to the House last week that the Minister had already been in correspondence with the committee concerned and had indicated his preparedness to work with it and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to see in what way some of their ideas might be incorporated in terms of the work he is undertaking.

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