Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We must take cognisance of some of these issues. Therefore it is not in any way useless or meaningless. It gives them an opportunity to highlight some of these issues. I would like to think that every single aspect of the national development plan, the programme for Government or Transport 21 would be fulfilled but realistically it is not always easy to get every single thing done. The Deputies have their say in prioritising them. It is a democracy and there is nothing wrong with Deputies doing that. They provide a useful service to their constituents by trying to do so.

I had no written agreement with Deputy Flynn. In my discussions with her prior to the formation of the Government, I had outlined to her the procedures that we would be following in the programme for Government, which was still under negotiation at that stage, and the national development plan, the spatial strategy and Transport 21. Her comments were based on that. I did not draw up, nor did she ask for, any individual items for her constituency. She was interested in the broad position. The national broadcaster asked me a question and I answered it. The Deputy may feel I should not have answered it. I usually try to answer its questions to the best of my ability, as I do the Deputy's questions. That is all I did.

See this speech in context