Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is not a priority in the legislative work programme.

With regard to the Bills mentioned in the work programme, the Chief Whip mentioned in the first paragraph that the Government was "setting out our legislative priorities for publication and enactment in advance of the election later in the spring". He was simply pointing out that priority is being given to the finance Bill and related legislation. The programme also lists the Bills that have commenced their passage through the House, some of them at advanced Stages, those that have already been published, and those whose publication is expected. The list is not exhaustive. The intention is clear with regard to enacting the legislation in the timeframes we have set out.

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