Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not in a position to answer the Deputy's supplementary in the way he would like. It is part of the convention of collective Cabinet responsibility that I must bring proposals to that group in the first instance for their consideration. It would be improper of me to speculate in advance of Cabinet colleagues having a chance to consider the memorandum.

This is an important issue and the timetabling difficulties I mentioned arise because of Easter and St. Patrick's week, and the fact Ministers will be travelling. I am travelling tomorrow myself for nine days and that means I will not be at the next Cabinet meeting, there will not be a Cabinet meeting after St. Patrick's Day and then it is Easter. That is part of the delay at present and I regret that in advance of the Cabinet discussing the matter, I cannot share it with the Dáil. In due course, as soon as we have a decision about the memorandum, I will bring the details into the public domain and we can have a discussion consequently. Legislation will be needed no matter form the decision takes.

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