Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government acted on advice at the time. This issue has been dealt with a number of times at Question Time and I do not wish to go through the same questions as the same replies are available now as I have put on the record of the House previously. The Deputy is aware that anything the Government does in this situation that might have an effect like the one mentioned would lead to it being accused of seeking to orchestrate something that was not its intention. It was a question of being obliged to deal with the situation that arose. An error did arise as I have explained in detail in previous comments. It has been raised at the Committee of Public Accounts with the Accounting Officer concerned and has been explained there as well. I have nothing further to add except to state that the Government is anxious that this matter should be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible. However, that is a matter for the sole member and I do not comment on the workings of the tribunal beyond that for fear of being misinterpreted.

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