Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy knows, the matter is a question of providing texts to the Council conclusions of December last, which have been discussed in the House. The normal process is for the House to discuss the aftermath of a Council meeting.

The specific texts referred to by the Deputy were further discussed this morning and progress has been made on them. Given the nature of these matters, it is not always the case that items are decided in full before a Council meets. That is what we are working towards and various member states have indicated their positions on various aspects of it. We are trying to pull together a position which will have the agreement of all member states. We are continuing to discuss both the substance and status of the texts. It is not logistically possible for me to comply with the Deputy's request. The role of the Executive in this matter is to obtain, in an appropriate format, the legal guarantees set out in the December conclusions and have them incorporated in the June Council conclusions, which can then be debated by the House after our return from the summit.

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