I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 107 and 139 together.
I accompanied the Taoiseach at a meeting with representatives from the Irish Bishops Conference on 29 October to discuss a number of issues which had arisen in international fora including embryo stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia and aspects of the ongoing Intergovernmental Conference. The meeting allowed a full and useful exchange of views on these questions.
The European Commission's proposal for the funding of embryo stem cell research in limited circumstances is to be the subject of a debate in the European Parliament next week and of discussion at the forthcoming meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 27 November, at which Ireland will be represented by the Tánaiste.
The Taoiseach and I explained the Government's broad approach to funding for embryonic stem cell research which, primarily, has been to ensure that funding would not be available for research in Ireland which is not compatible with our law and ethical guidelines. Ireland supported the current moratorium at EU level on funding for such research and is anxious to see the greatest possible safeguards applying even in those member states where such research is legal and considered ethical.