Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

With respect, rather than introducing this Bill, which we are not in a position to take, it would have been preferable to maintain the position that having set out the all-party motion, which included this question of returning at the end of the month with a considered view by Government and across all Departments, we would see how we can best respond to the Ryan report. It is a matter for every party to decide for itself how it wishes to use its Private Members' time but the Government has to use the time available to put forward a considered position in respect of the report's recommendations and we are still in discussions with survivor and other groups regarding other issues.

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