Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann reaffirms its confidence in the Government.

The elections have given us all an opportunity to engage directly with the people in relation to the issues of the day and the question of electing people to our local authorities, the European Parliament and two by-elections, the results of which have seen Deputy O'Sullivan and Deputy Lee become Members of this House. I genuinely welcome them and offer them my congratulations, and I wish them well.

I have travelled the country and, despite what Deputies might otherwise suggest, I met many people during the course of this campaign and have listened to what they had to say.

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