Mr. Noel Waters:

In fairness, Mr. Purcell was a good colleague and I retain his friendship. He was a loyal colleague who suffered personally on behalf of the State. He is a man of absolute integrity and he acknowledged in a very open way to the Fennelly commission what happened with the famous letter. To be fair to Mr. Purcell, it is not quite true to characterise him as having retired. He has moved to another area. He is an honourable civil servant and has served the State well.