Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputies Cowen and Martin did not take on the review of the common contract because it was not there to be reviewed. The last one was given by Deputy Noonan when he was Minister and when he gave significant breaks in the common contract.

The Government is committed to tackling these issues. The Tánaiste has entered into negotiations on a fair basis with the consultants. We have put in hundreds of consultants. The Deputy referred to comments made today by an eminent consultant. I have no doubt he is a very eminent consultant. Most of these eminent consultants would not be employed back in this country only for this Government.

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