Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There have been recent reports on the issue and comments by various members of the Minister's party. There is also a reference in the programme for Government and comments were made by the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, on the occasion of 100 days in office and when Deputy Nulty entered the House after a successful by-election in the Minister's constituency. In light of these, will the Minister confirm that the Labour Party insisted on Fine Gael dropping its demands to reduce the benefit before entering into negotiations for the programme for Government?

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