Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

These were not specific questions to unemployment figures. I accept the Deputy is entitled to ask a supplementary question, which he did about unemployment, but I did not put any gloss on the live register figures. I explained them when I got them from the Chief Whip. I gave the Deputy the figures as presented in front of me. I have never suggested there is a gloss to be put on unemployment figures. Anyone out of work is one too many as all Deputies know. I gave the figures as was requested by Deputy Gilmore. If I did not give them to him, it would be another problem.

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