Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

They are the people devising our national policies. At a political level, perhaps, one might see if it were possible for the Commissioner concerned, for example, to come over and discuss issues in due course with the Opposition leaders. It might be of some help at that level but in terms of the ongoing technical exercise it is the Department of Finance, the Government in general and the national authorities which are engaged in that process and it would not help beyond that. They can deal with any queries the Opposition might have in that regard.

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