Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy will be aware, all Cabinet meetings are conducted under the principle of collective responsibility, so providing specific detail on the attendance at the meetings would impinge on that principle. That is only to say that I think I have attended them all.

The question on legislation is a matter for Government to consider at any time. Our commitment is as outlined in the programme for government. On the question of my attendance in Copenhagen, that is a matter that can be decided upon closer to the time. The European Union, working collectively on the matter, is seeking to prepare for that conference under the able chairmanship of the new Danish Prime Minister. We will continue to work in that way with him.

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