Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----an unexpectedly early announcement in the end, but we had all of the work done in the Department of Finance and were ready to go to the Government and look for a decision to appeal. I contacted the Taoiseach. The Government's first meeting was to take place this week, but he brought a special meeting forward to last Wednesday. We then consulted colleagues and gave them plenty of time. Even with the limited documentation that came through initially, there was much to be considered. It was not that we failed to agree on Wednesday. It was just that people needed time.

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