Mr. Michael Howard:

I was describing an historical situation and I would like to make this clear. I explained what happened prior to the situation we have now. For the general guidance of the committee, without going too far outside what is proper for me to comment on, I have worked in this area for a very long time. I was around during the 1990s and 2000s when agreements were negotiated. I offer as an empirical observation that the Croke Park agreement facilitates change and flexibility in a way no previous agreement did. I described the situation as it was when the allowances were being built up. It is no longer the position.