Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The last time we had this question — such questions seem to be arising more frequently — the Taoiseach said his office and that of the Whip assist all Deputies on a daily or weekly basis. He asked me to appreciate that if he found someone helpful and constructive over five years, he would not just turn over the book and say the numbers are different and that he is not interested any more. He said this is not the way he works because it would be disrespectful. I took note of this because I presume he is considering the post-election circumstances. If, for example, the Progressive Democrats is not in a position to be in Government, will it be in the favoured position of having been formerly helpful, thus resulting in a new tranche of partially favoured Opposition Members, bearing in mind that we cannot say what the outcome of the election will be? Would that be too many partially favoured Opposition TDs and would the Independent Members have to be dropped as they would then be a distant memory? Is there a limit to the number of partially favoured Opposition TDs the Taoiseach puts in that special position?

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