Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I indicated that interest was expressed by former Senator de Búrca. The nominee to the Commission was prepared to consider it and determine whether it would be possible to accommodate her, but not on the basis of any condition precedent having been set on her part. She had yet to go to the Parliament and her independence had to be accepted. It was accepted by everybody in respect of that process. The issue of the composition of the cabinet could only arise upon her being approved by the Parliament. Unfortunately, as events turned out, it was not possible to have the outcome hoped for by the individual mentioned by Deputy Gilmore. I sought to determine whether there were other means by which I could assist but this did not prove successful.

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