Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I did not give any specific terms of reference in respect of this and neither did the Government. The Government asked that all spending programmes be reviewed. Obviously, the issue of public service numbers is being reviewed and examined departmentally. The point returns to the basic issue. This is a political arrangement the Government has undertaken with those who support it on the Independent benches in the interests of ensuring that we accommodate views where possible, listen to their priorities and see in what way their issues can be advanced. Many of these issues are of concern to all those who represent these constituencies. There is nothing unusual about this and it is important from our point of view to accommodate in that respect, rather than not having any liaison arrangements whatever, in an effort to show our bona fides towards the issues they would raise on the basis that they are supporting the Government. It is an arrangement that is totally defensible in that context.

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