Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We have a mandate to govern. It derives from the Dáil, in the same way as when the Deputy was a member of a Government. That mandate is legitimate, proper and appropriate.

On the question of the by-elections, that is a matter for the House to consider at any time. As the Deputy said, there is a matter to be discussed here and at the instigation of Sinn Féin it will be debated in the House.

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