Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am simply outlining to the Deputy the arrangements that exist, which he well knows as a practising politician. I explained to him that the arrangements between the Government and the Deputies concerned are confidential. We are proceeding along an understanding we have with those Deputies. The Deputies have clearly been supporting the Government on that basis. They are in a different position from Deputy Gilmore in that they support the Government.

If, unfortunately, the Deputy has a problem with that, so be it. The Independents in question support the Government and have a basis for so doing. That is the basis on which we deal with them.

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