Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We will not discuss fees. That is the Taoiseach's position. While this is a painstaking and drawn-out process, the Taoiseach is adamant that this is the position. No material has been provided to the contrary. Deputy Gilmore has consistently been of the view that the tribunal should get on with its business and we should get on with ours. He reiterated that here today and I agree with him. However, his contention is that we are not capable of getting on with our business on the basis of the present situation whereby the tribunal is not completed. In his view the Taoiseach should leave office, but we do not agree with that.

The Government is doing its work. It had its Cabinet meeting, made its decisions and is getting on with its business. The problem is that a policy-bankrupt Opposition wants to discuss this issue every day as if it is the only matter going on in this country. The Government is functioning in making its decisions and will continue to do so under the Taoiseach's leadership. We will continue to deal with the serious issues the people expect us to deal with regarding the economy, social conditions, the international financial situation and the responsibilities of the line Ministers' Departments. We have a good budgetary situation despite the challenges we face, which we discussed here for an hour previously. That is the real political situation.

The issue manufactured by Deputy Kenny is that he will tell us what the outcome of the evidence is and we will listen to him and his cohorts for the interpretation or meaning of events.

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