Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have not dealt with that case. We have processes in place, including a secretariat and Ministers to take up these matters and, where appropriate, I will obviously take them up when an appropriate occasion occurs in a meeting between the British Prime Minister and myself. I have had reason to do that in the past in other capacities.

In defending the cases the State is honouring commitments of confidentiality given by Mr. MacEntee in the course of his inquiries. An appeal has been lodged and as this is before the courts I would not like to comment further on the matter except that we seek to honour the terms upon which that information was provided to Mr. MacEntee. It is a matter for the courts to decide whether it should be released.

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