Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

My answer to such questions is that we need all people to work hard in the jobs they have been given. We also need to reduce the cost of Government and I have indicated that a 10% cut in the offices of Ministers and Ministers of State is a way to do that. We need people and political authority, people with political initiative and people running their Departments in that way. I think we should get on with the job. On Leaders' Questions, we have just discussed the huge challenges this country is facing. People who have a democratic mandate should get on with the job that has been assigned to them. We should also ensure that it is done as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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