I stress to the House that the essence of this proposal is to provide guidelines and safeguards on the conduct of embryonic stem cell research and is supported by the EU framework programme in those countries where the research is legal and ethical. Ireland does not consider it appropriate to oppose the Commission proposal as currently drafted on the basis that it does not allow for the EU funding of any research activity in Ireland which would not satisfy Irish ethical or legal requirements and in so far as other EU member states carrying out such research, Ireland would prefer that it be done under regulation, with proper safeguards in place rather than a free for all.