Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A contribution has to be made on all sides to achieve it. That is what I am seeking to do. Any suggestion that I am seeking out confrontation or taking encouragement from people who seek confrontation could only be made by people who do not know me. Since my first Ministry, as Minister for Labour, I have sought progress by way of agreement. I also know it is ultimately the responsibility and duty of Government to make the decisions that we have to make. I would rather them to be made on an agreed format than on a non-agreed format.

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