Mr. Brian Cowen:

No there was no axis of collusion. It has been a politically fraught time, great difficulty for the people and for Parliament and for everyone. You know, there have been rhetorical flushes that haven't helped engender public confidence. I believe in accountability, I believe, you know, I wouldn't be in politics to suggest I got everything right or that I didn't make mistakes, things you'd like to revisit some time. But I don't believe, and I don't want to get involved in any controversies, I don't believe that was his finest hour when he ... when he said things like that.