Mr. Jim Breslin:

I do not mean to be disrespectful but I am here as a civil servant, to give factual information. The Senator is asking me to pass judgment on political decision-making in 2008 and on the Taoiseach's statements. I am happy to answer the questions if they are posed in a different fashion but I am not engaged in either support or criticism of political figures. That is not the role that we seek to play at this committee.