Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Kenny that an opportunity should be provided in the House to discuss the financial situation in Europe with particular reference to the difficulties in Greece. When my colleague, Deputy Burton, asked the Tánaiste about this on Thursday, she indicated that while normally there are not statements after an informal EU summit, perhaps on this occasion, given the gravity of the situation, there might be statements in the House. Perhaps the Taoiseach would consider either that or some other method by which we can have a discussion on what is happening in Greece and the implications of that in particular for the rest of the euro area.

I understand the report of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children has been published. The previous report of 11 September 2008 recommended legislation should be prepared, but we have not yet seen such legislation. When will such legislation be prepared and brought before the House?

The third issue I wish to raise was also raised by Deputy Kenny. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs told the nation on Sunday night that the two by-elections and the election of a mayor of Dublin would be held at the back end of the year. Does the Taoiseach know when is the back end of the year? Given that the Minister was speaking on the Chinese New Year, was she talking about the Chinese year or the one with which we are all familiar? Will we ever see the two by-elections held and what is the Taoiseach's view with regard to them?

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