Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is right to say there has been a change in the groupings. I cannot, however, respond favourably to his request. Deputy Kenny's party has 51 Members, Deputy Rabbitte's party has 20 and my party has 78 so it cannot be done. Debates take place in this House in which Government and Opposition time can be shared but there is now no technical group so things cannot be done as they were in the last Dáil. That is the reality of the election result.

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