Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Bruton and Deputy Burton for their kind remarks. I know they are meant in the best possible way. As has been said, in the rough and tumble of politics we crossed swords now and again but never in a way that affected personal relationships, even if we did not foster them as much as we should have. As regards the exalted office, I will have to talk to Deputy Bruton about a fraternal understanding as to how exalted the office might be in the future.

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