Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

Person

Pat Breen

Ireland · Official source

Records

5,634 records where Pat Breen is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Question· writtenPQ 864asked

954 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will report on recent media reports that carers allowance payments will be reduced; her plans for the various carers allowance schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1369/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

954 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will report on recent media reports that carers allowance payments will be reduced; her plans for the various carers allowance schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1369/09]

Question· writtenPQ 834asked

924 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare was not successful with an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1307/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

924 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare was not successful with an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1307/09]

Question· writtenPQ 675asked

765 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the abduction of a person (details supplied), one of Zimbabwe’s most visible advocates for human rights on 3 December 2008; if he will raise their unlawful detention at the next GAERC meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2329/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

765 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the abduction of a person (details supplied), one of Zimbabwe’s most visible advocates for human rights on 3 December 2008; if he will raise their unlawful detention at the next GAERC meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2329/09]

Question· writtenPQ 674asked

761 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent high profile murders of a lawyer and journalist in Moscow; if the EU has raised these incidents with the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

761 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent high profile murders of a lawyer and journalist in Moscow; if the EU has raised these incidents with the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/09]

Question· writtenPQ 673asked

760 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to meet with the new US President Barack Obama or his Administration to enter negotiations on a resolution to the case of the undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2324/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

760 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to meet with the new US President Barack Obama or his Administration to enter negotiations on a resolution to the case of the undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2324/09]

Question· writtenPQ 672asked

756 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the decision taken by the US Government to end trials at Guantanamo Bay; if discussions have taken place regarding Ireland’s possible acceptance of detainees from Guantanamo following the closure of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2320/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

756 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the decision taken by the US Government to end trials at Guantanamo Bay; if discussions have taken place regarding Ireland’s possible acceptance of detainees from Guantanamo following the closure of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2320/09]

Question· writtenPQ 564asked

642 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug seizures in County Clare for the year 2008; the type of drugs seized; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

642 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug seizures in County Clare for the year 2008; the type of drugs seized; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1367/09]

Question· writtenPQ 563asked

641 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests for drug-related offences for the year 2008 in County Clare; the number of convictions for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1366/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

641 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of arrests for drug-related offences for the year 2008 in County Clare; the number of convictions for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1366/09]

Question· writtenPQ 420asked

502 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to introduce an automatic right to a medical card or general practitioner card for a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1977/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

502 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to introduce an automatic right to a medical card or general practitioner card for a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1977/09]

Question· writtenPQ 417asked

501 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to include a long-term illness (details supplied) under the terms of the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1976/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

501 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are plans to include a long-term illness (details supplied) under the terms of the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1976/09]

Question· writtenPQ 363asked

430 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the response times to incidents from each of the Clare ambulance stations for the years 2007 and 2008 including the location of those incidents in tabular form. [1413/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

430 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the response times to incidents from each of the Clare ambulance stations for the years 2007 and 2008 including the location of those incidents in tabular form. [1413/09]

Question· writtenPQ 284asked

342 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes proposed in the management structures within the Clare mental health services; if these structures are in line with the recommendations of the Vision for Change document; if they will impact on the delivery of front line services in the Clare mental health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47908/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

342 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the changes proposed in the management structures within the Clare mental health services; if these structures are in line with the recommendations of the Vision for Change document; if they will impact on the delivery of front line services in the Clare mental health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47908/08]

Question· writtenPQ 265asked

428 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will meet a delegation comprising the four Clare Oireachtas Members and members of Clare County Council to discuss the proposals to end 24-hour accident and emergency service at Ennis General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1411/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

428 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will meet a delegation comprising the four Clare Oireachtas Members and members of Clare County Council to discuss the proposals to end 24-hour accident and emergency service at Ennis General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1411/09]

Question· writtenPQ 264asked

427 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children her views of the proposals to centralise accident and emergency services in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1410/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

427 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children her views of the proposals to centralise accident and emergency services in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1410/09]

Question· writtenPQ 263asked

384 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 650 of 24 September 2008, her plans for Ennis General Hospital, County Clare; when the €39 million refurbishment of the hospital will commence; if accident and emergency services at the hospital are to be curtailed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1124/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

384 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 650 of 24 September 2008, her plans for Ennis General Hospital, County Clare; when the €39 million refurbishment of the hospital will commence; if accident and emergency services at the hospital are to be curtailed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1124/09]

Question· writtenPQ 262asked

383 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 24 September 2008, when she will publish the review of the acute hospital services report into services in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1123/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

383 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 24 September 2008, when she will publish the review of the acute hospital services report into services in the mid-west region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1123/09]

Question· writtenPQ 261asked

326 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will meet a delegation comprising the four Clare Oireachtas Members and members of Clare County Council to discuss the proposals published in the review of acute hospital services in the Health Service Executive mid-west and the implications of these proposals for the future of 24-hour accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1409/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

326 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will meet a delegation comprising the four Clare Oireachtas Members and members of Clare County Council to discuss the proposals published in the review of acute hospital services in the Health Service Executive mid-west and the implications of these proposals for the future of 24-hour accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1409/09]

Question· writtenPQ 221asked

300 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 20 May 2008, the funding made available for a project (details supplied); if tender documents have been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1966/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

300 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 20 May 2008, the funding made available for a project (details supplied); if tender documents have been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1966/09]

Question· writtenPQ 115asked

195 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has finalised the terms of reference for the setting up of a mid-west regional task force; the composition of this task force; if Clare representation will be included on the task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1364/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

195 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has finalised the terms of reference for the setting up of a mid-west regional task force; the composition of this task force; if Clare representation will be included on the task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1364/09]

Question· writtenPQ 114asked

191 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recent job loss announcement of 1900 job losses at a company (details supplied); the consequences for the mid-west region; her plans to set up a mid-west regional task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1128/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

191 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recent job loss announcement of 1900 job losses at a company (details supplied); the consequences for the mid-west region; her plans to set up a mid-west regional task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1128/09]

Question· writtenPQ 84asked

163 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to increase the number of core programme countries receiving Irish aid; if he will identify which additional countries will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1919/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

163 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to increase the number of core programme countries receiving Irish aid; if he will identify which additional countries will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1919/09]

Question· writtenPQ 74asked

758 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe; the efforts being made at EU level to assist in this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2322/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

758 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe; the efforts being made at EU level to assist in this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2322/09]

Question· writtenPQ 68asked

755 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made by the EU to assist in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; if Ireland will be contributing financial aid to an agreed EU aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2318/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

755 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made by the EU to assist in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; if Ireland will be contributing financial aid to an agreed EU aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2318/09]

Question· writtenPQ 48asked

764 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the government of Sri Lanka is pursuing an exclusively military strategy in its conflict to bring an end to the decades of violence in that country; if, in view of the fact that the problem in Sri Lanka is a political one to which there is no military solution he will join with his EU counterparts in an attempt to persuade the Government of Sri Lanka to establish a new peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2328/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

764 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the government of Sri Lanka is pursuing an exclusively military strategy in its conflict to bring an end to the decades of violence in that country; if, in view of the fact that the problem in Sri Lanka is a political one to which there is no military solution he will join with his EU counterparts in an attempt to persuade the Government of Sri Lanka to establish a new peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2328/09]

Question· writtenPQ 47asked

763 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the increase in human rights abuses in Sri Lanka including a campaign of intimidation against the media which culminated in a recent murder (details supplied); if he will make representations to the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the protection of human rights and that the perpetrators of this and other acts of violence against the media are brought to justice for their crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2327/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

763 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the increase in human rights abuses in Sri Lanka including a campaign of intimidation against the media which culminated in a recent murder (details supplied); if he will make representations to the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the protection of human rights and that the perpetrators of this and other acts of violence against the media are brought to justice for their crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2327/09]

Question· writtenPQ 41asked

762 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the fears of a further humanitarian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2326/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

762 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the fears of a further humanitarian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2326/09]

Question· writtenPQ 33asked

757 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports calls by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, for an international investigation into Israel’s shelling of UN buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2321/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

757 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports calls by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, for an international investigation into Israel’s shelling of UN buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2321/09]

Question· oralPQ 10asked

102 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the unconditional support given by previous US Governments to Israel has been an obstacle to achieving a permanent peace in the Middle East; if, in his contacts with the new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the US Administration, he will urge her to join with the EU in developing a policy which respects the rights and addresses the fears of both the Israeli and Palestinian communities and ensures that there is no reoccurrence of the events that happened in Gaza in the past month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2313/09]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 January 2009

102 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the unconditional support given by previous US Governments to Israel has been an obstacle to achieving a permanent peace in the Middle East; if, in his contacts with the new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the US Administration, he will urge her to join with the EU in developing a policy which respects the rights and addresses the fears of both the Israeli and Palestinian communities and ensures that there is no reoccurrence of the events that happened in Gaza in the past month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2313/09]

Question· writtenPQ 562asked

600 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science further to parliamentary Question No. 512 of 4 November 2008, when payment will issue to a contractor (details supplied) in County Clare; if the review of all payments have been made regarding the project in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46628/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 December 2008

600 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science further to parliamentary Question No. 512 of 4 November 2008, when payment will issue to a contractor (details supplied) in County Clare; if the review of all payments have been made regarding the project in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46628/08]

Question· writtenPQ 54asked

288 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he or his officials have held discussions with Aer Lingus regarding a Shannon/Heathrow service in view of the strategic importance of this route for the mid west region; if he will report on these discussions; if his attention has been drawn to plans to reinstate the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47110/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 17 December 2008

288 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he or his officials have held discussions with Aer Lingus regarding a Shannon/Heathrow service in view of the strategic importance of this route for the mid west region; if he will report on these discussions; if his attention has been drawn to plans to reinstate the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47110/08]

Question· writtenPQ 362asked

420 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent decision by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to ban an advertisement from a shop (details supplied); if he has plans to amend the restrictions on religious advertising as contained in Section 41 of the Broadcasting Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46169/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2008

420 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent decision by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland to ban an advertisement from a shop (details supplied); if he has plans to amend the restrictions on religious advertising as contained in Section 41 of the Broadcasting Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46169/08]

Question· writtenPQ 288asked

346 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be allocated to a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46297/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2008

346 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if funding will be allocated to a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46297/08]

Question· writtenPQ 206asked

268 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future operation of the three airports at Shannon, Cork and Dublin; if the break-up is being put on hold; the implications of this decision for the future financial and operational requirements of all three airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46412/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2008

268 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future operation of the three airports at Shannon, Cork and Dublin; if the break-up is being put on hold; the implications of this decision for the future financial and operational requirements of all three airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46412/08]

Question· writtenPQ 205asked

267 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the cost of all reports undertaken by his Department in relation to the proposed break-up of the three airports at Shannon, Cork and Dublin since the introduction of the State Airports Bill 2004, to date in 2008; if consultant reports were commissioned; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46411/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2008

267 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the cost of all reports undertaken by his Department in relation to the proposed break-up of the three airports at Shannon, Cork and Dublin since the introduction of the State Airports Bill 2004, to date in 2008; if consultant reports were commissioned; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46411/08]

Question· writtenPQ 18asked

74 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will have the Strategic Review of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Services, carried out by the Health Service Executive and completed in 2007, published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45588/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 16 December 2008

74 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will have the Strategic Review of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology Services, carried out by the Health Service Executive and completed in 2007, published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45588/08]

Question· writtenPQ 273asked

393 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will follow his counterpart in Northern Ireland and extend the farm waste management scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44876/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2008

393 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will follow his counterpart in Northern Ireland and extend the farm waste management scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44876/08]

Question· writtenPQ 160asked

280 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 4 November 2008, when an application will be processed for persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44874/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 9 December 2008

280 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 4 November 2008, when an application will be processed for persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44874/08]

Question· writtenPQ 83asked

83 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 to allow for the ongoing problems being experienced in the taxi business due to the increased number of taxi licences and the economic situation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 4 December 2008

83 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 to allow for the ongoing problems being experienced in the taxi business due to the increased number of taxi licences and the economic situation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/08]

Question· writtenPQ 82asked

82 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing problems being experienced in the taxi business as a result of the increased number of taxi licences granted in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44395/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 4 December 2008

82 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing problems being experienced in the taxi business as a result of the increased number of taxi licences granted in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44395/08]

Question· oralPQ 9asked

8 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of the redress scheme established to compensate victims of abuse in residential institutions; when he expects the redress board to conclude it’s work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44131/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 4 December 2008

8 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of the redress scheme established to compensate victims of abuse in residential institutions; when he expects the redress board to conclude it’s work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44131/08]

Question· writtenPQ 77asked

129 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to ensure that the Hague Preferences are enshrined in law and not just discussed annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43888/08]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 3 December 2008

129 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to ensure that the Hague Preferences are enshrined in law and not just discussed annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43888/08]