Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I refer to the issue about to be taken now. It was suggested that some Members might prefer a substantive motion rather than statements and we are accommodating this. If Members wish to have some part of Thursday devoted to further statements on the matter I would be glad to try to arrange it through the Whips. The possibility of a question and answer session at the end of the statements is fine but because of the market-sensitive nature of this issue we must vote tonight such that people will know a decision has been taken and is effective. While powers are already vested in the existing legislation and the initial request from the Opposition was for a statement to be brought to the House on the occasion of decisions taken by Government in this regard, the Government is trying to accommodate other views in terms of tabling a motion rather than simply making statements. Further, we are prepared to arrange a couple of hours for a debate on the statements, perhaps on Thursday, and to finalise this with 20 minutes or whatever of questions and answers to the Minister as a means of concluding the debate. That would be an offer we could make in an effort to get on with the business.

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