Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As regards the first part of the Deputy's question, he is misrepresenting the context in which Deputy Dempsey took the flight to Glenties. He suggested in his first question that he simply took a flight to Glenties, when he could have just taken a car. The Minister had another appointment in London the following morning, to which he flew, from Derry. That was the context. The Deputy then sought to use negatively Deputy Dempsey's acknowledgement that he would seek, in furtherance of the code of conduct, to ensure such a situation does not again arise. It is very hard to satisfy the Deputy.

In relation to his second point, the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, was on official business in Brussels. He completed his business there and was required back here in the House. Is there a presumption to the effect that he should have thumbed home?

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