Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I welcome Speaker Quinn from New York City Council and her entourage to Ireland and thank her for her courtesy in recent weeks.

The Taoiseach's categorisation of the value of Independent Deputies seems to have declined since Deputy Healy-Rae described himself as the fourth wheel on the ministerial Mercedes in Kerry, much to the amusement of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Does the assistant principal officer consult with some or all of the Independent Deputies? Is it possible to name these slightly favoured Independent Deputies in the House?

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