Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That relates to the two leaders of the Government and the Tánaiste where appropriate. Programme managers are put in place to deal with some of the mechanics of these issues. To return to the Deputy's points on the legislative basis for systems of appointments to public bodies, that will have to be pursued and the scope will have to be worked out in the first instance. It will then be ready for assignment and until that happens we will proceed with existing arrangements. The programme for Government has a reference to the matter and we will work through it on that basis.

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