Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I reject the contentions made by the Deputy, obviously.

First, my apologies, as I should have in my opening remarks welcomed and congratulated Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan and George Lee on this, their first day in the House. It is an occasion from many years ago I recall for myself. It is a great day for them and their families and I wish them well. I congratulate them on their success and commiserate with those who were defeated, including our own party colleagues, Shay Brennan and Maurice Ahern, in those two elections. I wish the Deputies well. It is a great day for them.

To come back to Deputy Kenny's predictable attacks, the issue is that the courage displayed by the Government has been on the basis of the decisions that we have been prepared to take in the teeth of continuous opposition from him on all of the major issues of the day.

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