Mr. Brian Cowen:

No, I did not, Deputy He had a statement of strategy that was drawn up by the board. I mean, Brian Patterson, I don't have to tell ... he's a man that I admire and respect. Brian Patterson doesn't need to tell me ... for me to tell him how to suck eggs, Deputy. He's chairman of an authority. He has a statement of strategy. It sets out its position. I've read it. And, you know, it was never my practice to write to the chairman of a semi-State company, "Here's my aims and objectives for you." I expect them to implement Government policy in accordance with the corporate plans that they've got outlined for their companies. And if there's any problem arising, to bring it to my attention. Mr. Patterson is a former leading light of the Irish Management Institute, he had senior positions in Irish and international industry and he did a good job while he was there. But I think that maybe when he was being asked about this ... as to why, you know, he came up with that answer, I don't honestly think that that was a determining factor one way or another.