Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The difference is that I negotiated the treaty and probably saw ten drafts of it before the Deputy even heard of it.

Discussions are ongoing in relation to all of these matters to try to secure an outcome that meets with the requirements of the situation. All programmes for Government, including those signed by the Deputy's former leader - the Deputy was a member of a Government himself - have a requirement for financial stability. One cannot do things regardless of what are the economic circumstances. Obviously, we are doing all we can to ensure we can discuss these matters and come to an outcome that meets the requirements of the situation in the best way we possibly can. That is where things are at and the Deputy's assertions to the contrary and his suggestions of abandonment and so forth are incorrect.

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