Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

If the issue was put unabridged as it is, issues would arise that would have to be dealt with. The examination is taking place currently at Government and interdepartmental level. A senior officials group is working on it and I had a discussion about it last night at a ministerial level, getting a full view of where the work is currently. I am coming to the House today to explain the scope of the issues, which are not insignificant. If the Deputy were in my position, it would be his role to do the exact same exercise or he would not be doing his job, with respect.

Whatever is required for us to do the detailed work, we will continue with it and bring forward ideas and proposals on the basis of that ongoing work. I am trying to indicate our intentions in a frank and open way, out of the respect for the work others have done in this area, and to disabuse people of the idea that there are political shenanigans involving prevarication or putting the issue on the long finger. It is a detailed and complex area of law that must be dealt with in a very considered and careful way. I am saying it must be worked through thoroughly and that we are committed to this work.

Based on Deputy Gilmore's observations, I accept this will be a difficult area to resolve and push through but this is not to in any sense dilute the commitment of the Government to the issue. It is out of consideration of the commitment we have for the area that we act properly and correctly, as would be expected in addition to the work done by the committee in trying to build a consensus around the area. We must now work out the implications of that work, any unintended consequences and the interaction of rights. This is the work the Government is expected to do and I would not expect an all-party committee to have the resources to do this. It is a different responsibility and a different job.

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