Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the first matter, I understand the Whips will meet. One of the great things about trying to be generous with time here is that people always have further suggestions which go beyond what was originally proposed, but that is the nature of the game. The idea was that tomorrow would provide an opportunity for others to make statements in the House through the statements format, at the end of which the Minister for Finance would make himself available for some questions and answers for, I suggest, half an hour. The Whips can decide on it but it is not a question of having a series of questions and answers. Deputies want to have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion and should be allowed to have that opportunity. We can then provide for questions and answers at the end. It is a matter for the Whips to finalise, but that was what was envisaged.

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