Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The questions relate to whether the Attorney General has any political adviser or assistants in respect of matters that are germane. This is why I took questions Nos. 1 to 8 together. They do not refer to general staff. One such assistant was appointed to the Attorney General. The assistant acts as a liaison between the Attorney General and other Departments on items relevant to legal issues arising from the programme for Government. I have no problem answering questions asked of me but it cannot be suggested that I should provide replies to questions which are specific in nature and then deal with general questions arising in respect of a totally different matter-----

See this speech in context