Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I suggest that is a matter for discussion between the Whips. It is being published today and will have to be studied, examined and debated in the House in due course, if that is the wish of the House.

Second, with regard to the report, the Oireachtas committee produced a report which met with cross-party approval at that level. The Government must now assess the situation, consult the Attorney General to ensure that whatever emerges deals with all the legal issues and examine what has been brought forward with everybody's agreement. Just as the Executive does not abdicate the issue to the Legislature, the issue cannot be abdicated by us in terms of what we must do now in examining that question. It is for the purpose of trying to accommodate all the issues and listening to what has been said by that committee that we must consider what way we can move forward. However, we must work through those issues interdepartmentally and with the Attorney General and see if questions arise as far as they are concerned that must be considered by the Government and addressed. That is a work in progress at present. We are aware it is a cross-party proposal that came forward from the members of that committee. It is being considered.

The Child Care (Amendment) Bill has completed all Stages in the Seanad. It is due to come to this House on Second Stage.

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