Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

No. No one has been more vigorous than the Minister, Deputy Martin, in respect of pursuing the matters that have affected the countries in the passport issue and I do not accept that there has been any absence of vigour on his part.

I refer to the appointment of the Commissioner. The nomination for Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, was decided by Government. It was intimated to me by my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, that the former Senator de Búrca was interested in trying to obtain a position. This was something I communicated but there was no question of the independence of the Commission being compromised in any way.

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