Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have made the point to the Deputy. He can make any absurd contention he wishes. I am simply saying those Deputies have political understandings with the Government. They support the Government and have arrangements in place. They have the same concern for the national interest as anyone else. They have the same issues to contend with in looking at their requirements and they understand what the overall Government position is. They will make their decisions as to whether their support for the Government will be available, based on the outcome of the budget and how they see it. That has happened before. That is the issue.

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