Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I know I should not be giving lessons in constitutional law to the Deputy as he would probably claim to have a superior knowledge of it. Under our Constitution, the mandate of the Government is determined by majority support in this House. The mandate which this Government has is the very same as any other Government in this House. We will bring forward the budget and put it to the House, and I am confident it will command majority support. That is the position.

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