Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

They informed the Department of Finance, which informed me and my officials, and, of course, I informed the Government that they were not meeting the Opposition on this occasion. I suggested that a formula that might suit their concerns would be to meet the finance committee of the House, on which all parties would be represented, and to do it in public session because they had a fear of being misrepresented when they meet in private. They decided they would not take up that option. I would have no problem if they were to meet.

The other alternative, given the Deputy obviously wants his views to be known to the troika, is that they are always available to take written submissions. If he wants to write out his views and send them to the Commission representative, who is the chair of the troika group, I am sure they will consider those. It could be as effective as an oral submission.

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