Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Regarding that matter, the Presidency is proceeding with bilateral meetings during the course of the day. It is its business to proceed with this and make progress in this area. There has been a great deal of contact and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, is working on the matter. We intend that the political understandings reached in December will form the basis of the decisions to be made at next week's Council meeting and will provide the legal certainties we require.

With regard to the second matter, I understand there is no problem about such reports being brought for plenary debate in this House, subject to agreement by the Whips.

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