Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I outlined in a previous response our initial reaction to this question of compellability and how it might be approached. It is not without difficulty. I saw members of the particular committee raise this issue on television. The Chief Whip responded helpfully and suggested that if he received a request, we could sit down to see if there is a way through this. I am not sure there is. The matter must be looked at sensibly and intelligently. The Whips meet every week and they can sit down to see to where they can bring this from where it is at present. We have not had a request. I am sure that if what has been said constitutes a request by everybody to look at it, the Whips are the best way to do so.

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