Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That is not the strategic objective. The Deputies concerned have been supportive of the Government and it would be wrong, just because we have a majority in the House, not to give them some assistance. The Deputies concerned do not seek preferential treatment. In fact, other Members, including other Independent Members, ask for support from time to time. We try to deal with them even-handedly. Obviously, however, these Independent Members were crucial to the Government in the last Dáil and it would be wrong of me to abandon them because of the voting position. They do not incur an increase in expenditure or get preferential treatment that would create any difficulty.

See this speech in context