Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

There is a further point to be made in regard to the flat rate. We expressed a very strong view against a flat rate payment. The Commissioner was constrained in what he was able to say to us when he was with us last Friday week, but he ruled out a flat rate payment in as much as he was able to do. We cannot say he did because it all has to go before the college; therefore, to a certain extent, there is speculation on all our parts, but I believe he has ruled out a flat rate payment.