Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 28, statements re Pre-Budget Outlook. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m.; and (2) the proceedings on No. 28 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m. tonight and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the statements of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; (ii) the statement of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; (iii) Members may share time; and (iv) a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes. Private Members' Business shall be No. 76, motion re human trafficking.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are two proposals to be put to the House today. Is the proposal that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight agreed to?

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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No. It is important that we have more time to address this critical budgetary issue. I ask not only for an extension of time to 12 midnight, if necessary, but also to extend the various segments for the Opposition party spokespersons to contribute substantially to this. It is important, in particular, that the Opposition parties would have an opportunity to reply to the Sinn Féin budget submission published yesterday, and particularly to our wealth tax, our cap on public service pay and many other important matters. I am concerned that there is not enough time provision here to deal adequately with that.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will put the question again. Is the proposal agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 28 agreed to? Agreed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I noted the announcement by the Taoiseach and the Government of the appointment of Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to be the Commissioner from Ireland and I congratulate former Deputy and Minister, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn on her appointment. Deputy Bruton has reminded me here it is a little like Milton's sonnet,

They also serve who only stand and wait.

In making his nomination for the appointment of Ms Geoghegan-Quinn, has the Taoiseach had discussions with President Barroso in respect of possible portfolios to be awarded on her acceptance or does he have a priority portfolio in mind? While these appointments are for the European Union and not in respect of nationalist positions, most other countries have stated a preference for their nominees to be appointed to particular portfolios. Does he have any one in mind in that regard?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On the same issue, I join Deputy Kenny in congratulating Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on her nomination for appointment as Commissioner, and, I wish her well in that role. Does the Taoiseach have any plans to bring her nomination before the House for approval? I appreciate that, technically, that is not required, but since it is a nominee of the country rather than a nominee of Government, I want to know if the Government has any plans to bring the proposal before the House. Can he give any assurance to the House that she will be allocated a senior and significant portfolio?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I do not believe there is precedent for requirement that the nomination of a proposed Commissioner by Government for consideration by the European Parliament would be brought for approval before the House. I am not aware that such is a requirement.

Everyone will be aware of the merits of the candidate concerned. Obviously, there were other prospective candidates who would equally be able to serve Ireland well in this situation. I had to take into account a number of points, one of which was the following comment from the President of the Commission:

To allow me to propose a properly balanced team to the Council and the European Parliament, I would therefore ask you all to see gender balance as a common goal and as a shared responsibility. I would therefore urge you to pay particular attention to the presence of women in the College as our discussions continue towards conclusion.

Quite apart from that aspect, the capacity and ability of the proposed nominee is well known to many Members of this House who recall a distinguished career in politics here in Ireland. Her work on the Court of Auditors is well regarded also.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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More than your colleagues beside the Taoiseach?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Obviously other considerations come into play as regards that. As I have said, there are many people who could have completed this task. Deputies raised the portfolio question, but that is a matter exclusively for the President of the Commission. He has made it clear that portfolios are not assigned to countries, but to individuals. The matter is required to go before the European Parliament for its approval, so we must await that process and not assume its outcome. I have every confidence, however, that the capacity of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will be reflected in a portfolio that will enable her to serve the college well and to serve her country well in the spirit in which commissioners are appointed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When does the Taoiseach expect to make an appointment to the European Court of Auditors, following the appointment of Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn?

Will the Taoiseach indicate when the fisheries (consolidation) Bill is due?

Members of the Government will be going to Copenhagen for the climate change conference, which is so important. The climate change Bill is expected to be published next year, but does the Taoiseach have a clearer fix on that? Is it likely to be early in 2010? Can the Taoiseach report on the state of preparation of that measure?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The proposed nominee remains a member of the European Court of Auditors until such time as she takes up a different position, so no vacancy arises there. We should await that process.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Is Senator Dan Boyle in the running?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy could be.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The climate change legislation is expected next year and consultations are taking place. There is no date for the fisheries (amendment) Bill.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Does the Taoiseach have an update on when the civil partnership Bill will be before the House?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Hopefully, the first week in December.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I look forward to the Minister's opening speech.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Deputy have a marriage coming up?

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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What is the current position with regard to the Student Support Bill? Why has it been delayed and when will it come before the House?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is still on Committee Stage and amendments are currently being worked on.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to raise two issues. First, in Germany in the past few days we have seen a public outpouring of grief following the suicide of the German goalkeeper, Robert Enke. Unfortunately, it appears that suicide is on the increase in this country. The grief expressed by German people in recent days has been experienced by many families. It is important to address this matter. I ask the Taoiseach to provide time for the House to discuss the issue of suicide.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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A number of weeks ago, I sought a debate in this House on the same issue following a report on suicide in the Irish Examiner. I support Deputy Seán Power's request in this regard. It is a fundamental issue for Irish society and time should be made available for a substantive and qualitative debate on the nature of suicide.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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This matter can be discussed by the Whips. I agree with Deputies Seán Power and Sherlock that an opportunity could be found by the Whips for a debate on this issue.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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My second question concerns the receipt of correspondence from a group called Shell to Sea, which has been critical of the political process and of most politicians in this House. The group obviously has some political friends, however, because the correspondence, including an invitation to a meeting, arrived in an Oireachtas envelope. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle can have the matter investigated.

Deputies:

Bar code.