Martin told the Dail the other week that an examination of the European Commission's proposals on stem-cell research is under way and that he was "consulting with the Minister for Health on the position to be adopted by Ireland on the ethical issues that arise in these proposals". But when Harney was asked the same question . . . on the same day . . . her response was a blunt, "My colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, has lead responsibility for Ireland for negotiation of the EU seventh research framework programme under which research of this kind arises."

Fianna Fail's Sean Haughey asked the questions, although depending on a certain ministerial announcement due next week he may be one of those providing answers very shortly.