Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

It is somewhat unusual that the Taoiseach should take all the Order of Business questions together. While I appreciate that the Order of Business is running a bit longer than normal this morning, I hope this does not create a precedent.

I wish to support Deputy Kenny's point on the EU Committee of the Regions. Based on the results of the local elections, the Labour Party, like Fine Gael, would be entitled to additional representation on that committee. I want an assurance from the Taoiseach that my party - and I am sure that Fine Gael is in the same situation - will be consulted about the appointment to the EU Committee of the Regions. I hope we will not see a skewed appointment announced during the recess.

Does the Taoiseach intend to attend the House tomorrow to tell us the date on which the Dáil will be back in January? Or will he have somebody else do so on his behalf?

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the consequences of yesterday's Supreme Court decision, its implications and the court's criticism that legislation has not been brought forward to deal with assisted reproduction and related matters. I saw a statement from the Minister for Health and Children that she intends to bring proposed legislation to the Government. There is nothing on the legislative list, however, concerning such legislation. Nor did I see anything about it in the programme for Government. When will that legislation be brought forward? Will it be based on the report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, which was published almost five years ago?

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