Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am particularly interested in the question as it relates to the supports provided by the Taoiseach's Department to Ministers of State. The unseemly row between the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, and Deputy Canney did not reflect well on Government. The image of two individuals tossing a coin at the commencement of Government to decide who would be Minister of State for one year and who would be Minister of State for the next year and then having a row as to who would be Minister of State for the third year did not reflect well on Government and should never have been part of the process of appointing Ministers of State in my view. The Taoiseach might outline what supports were provided by him to resolve that dispute. He might also outline if the role of the Minister, Deputy Ross, extends to the Rural Alliance and others because it is very noticeable from time to time in different votes that there are surprising outcomes in terms of support levels. The suspicion remains that deals are being done behind the scenes or accommodations are being arrived at that are not known in the public domain.

I have a later question, No. 11, which does not come within the compass of this reply, but does the Minister, Deputy Ross, have an unofficial role in reaching out to some independents beyond his own immediate group and are certain people in the know? It is accepted that Deputy Lowry is. I agree with Deputy Burton, there is no doubt but that Deputy Lowry is in the loop in terms of Government actions, proposals and announcements and he gets tipped off regularly in advance of other Deputies in Tipperary. That is as a result of a mental telepathy between Government and Deputy Lowry. I accept what both sides have said that there is no arrangement whatsoever but that they work on a telepathic basis and they have an intuitive understanding that is reciprocated on a regular basis.

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