Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am trying to deal with the pejorative innuendo that continually emanates from the questions asked by the Deputy and his vitriol against my party and against my philosophy, which is just as good and as decent as his. So far as I recall, there was no discussion about Anglo Irish Bank, none. I invite the Deputy to check with other people who were present and see if they back up what I am saying. I am stating my recollection. I did not go there for that purpose, I was not there for that purpose, I was there for a broad economic discussion. This dinner had been arranged some months before and not as the result of a telephone call. I had not been able to fulfil the engagement at the time it was arranged and I subsequently fulfilled it before I left office and went on to become Taoiseach.

The Deputy asked about the future. The Government and I were elected by a majority of the Dáil. We have made a decision regarding the rest of our parliamentary programme, our legislative programme. We have to give legislative effect to the budget. This country needs certainty. International and domestic investors need to know that these decisions will be given legislative effect. Other legislation is at an advanced stage and requires to be completed because it will bring benefits to our citizens-----

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