Alex White (Labour)

The Minister posed an interesting question in the course of his speech about legitimacy and the question of the Government's mandate. He bemoaned the fact, as he saw it, there had been some questioning from the Opposition, the media and elsewhere, on whether the Government had a mandate. He thought it was unfortunate and wrong that a question should be raised over the constitutional mandate of the Government. I make it clear to the Minister and others that at no time have I ever taken the view, notwithstanding that I have stood here alone with my colleagues and voted against the bank guarantee, took a view on NAMA and voted against it, took very conflicting standpoints on different Government decisions, and at no stage------