John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Will the Minister give the House his precise recollection of the meeting which took place on 10 March? We would like to hear his accurate recollection of that meeting. In regard to the minutes of the meeting of 16 December 2003, did the Minister discuss these minutes at any stage with his junior Ministers? Did he read the minutes thoroughly and did he take on board what they stated? Did it not occur to him or his junior Ministers that there might be a requirement for a follow-up to find out exactly where was legal opinion on this important matter?

Did the Minister meet regularly his junior Ministers? Did he meet them once a week or how did things operate? I do not know precisely the type of relationship that exists with junior Ministers, or what was their precise role? Clearly they appear to have fallen down on informing the Minister about this meeting.

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