Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As I said, I am anxious to facilitate an extension of time for statements, but whether that will mean everybody in the House will have an opportunity to speak I cannot predict. The Government has business to conduct in addition to this business. I take the point that if the House wishes to have statements beyond what is in the Order Paper for this particular business, we can arrange for that through the agreement of the Whips. We can also arrange for a question and answer session, which usually takes place at the end of statements.

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