Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Senator John McCain took a very forward view but he had to reverse at high speed and I understand why. I think, however, at another time he will come back as a supporter. What we have to do here in a political way is to work as best we can on our friends on the Hill because there is no chance of getting this together if we do not have Republicans and Democrats on our side. We need both and we have to continue to nurture both sides to win support. The Kennedy-McCain relationship almost worked — it was a pity it did not — but we will have to come back on that. We all know the game and I am afraid the game will not resume until next year.

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