Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The analysis showed that for the ten years between 2000 and 2010, Ireland was the fifth highest tender at European Union Ministers' meetings. As for the reason the attendance fell during the last few months, it was because the then Opposition, now in government, in a cynical political exercise withdrew the ministerial pairs. That was the type of responsible politics in which the Government parties engaged, quite apart from the auction politics, when they were in opposition.

If I turn to the Minister's apology, I note Deputy Wallace did not ask for the apology but of course, it was highly conditional. It was dragged out of the Minister and was a tactic to try to defuse the situation. However, that will be decided on by the Data Commissioner and the Standards in Public Office Commission. What about an apology to the other people the Minister held to account when he was on this side of the House? He called on others to resign, by the standard he set, but now he has been caught in the crossfire of that standard, he is not prepared to resign.

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