Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is a fair question. I just want to be allowed to reply, that is all. The Deputy made an assertion that this was an illegal payment and that it requires retrospective Cabinet approval. I certainly have not been advised of that and I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that that is the case. Neither do I accept the assertion she makes that the Minister for Finance acted ultra vires. That is not my understanding of the situation, nor has anyone suggested to me that it is the case.

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