Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not have a date for the legislation to which the Deputy referred in the first part of his question. As the Deputy is aware, it has been the subject of ongoing and continual discussion between the social partners. We have a voluntary industrial relations code and trying to resolve that issue has been a matter of considerable discussion and debate between the social partners. Ongoing efforts continue to find a common understanding as to what is the position to which we are trying to return in the aftermath of the High Court decision that brought about a problem that required resolution, certainly as far as the trade union movement was concerned.

As for the question pertaining to diplomatic initiatives, both the Ministers concerned, that is, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, are engaged in this matter, as are their officials. As the Deputy is aware, we require a level of co-operation and a preparedness to sign the strengthened agreements we have been seeking from the sovereign Governments on the other side. I assure the Deputy that everything possible that can be done will be done in this regard. I have heard his advice on the matter and will check whether that would be helpful at this point. As he is aware, the question of ministerial visits often can be helpful when there is a disposition on the other side to reach a conclusion on these matters.

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