Is it fair to say that Mr. Duffy was more than an official and adviser in the Taoiseach's Department? He was the Taoiseach's political confidante. Does the Taoiseach recall telling a newspaper Ireland on Sunday – I am not allowed quote at Question Time—

Definitely not.

—that he had been with him every day of his political life. The Taoiseach said in his script, which was quite unprecedented, at Question Time and which was read out for 37 minutes, that apparently—

Minus the interruptions of about ten minutes.

We should be given a copy of it. If the press has it, elected Members should have it.

Is it not the case that the Taoiseach said in that script that apparently last December Mr. Duffy decided to leave his employment. He went on to say that apparently he changed his mind and apparently he decided to stay on. I am sure we can get the actual text. Is the Taoiseach telling the House that, notwithstanding his close relationship every day of his political life with Mr. Duffy, Mr. Duffy did not come into the office and discuss with him his departure, his plans for the future, his involvements, his expectations of employment?

When Mr. Duffy finally made up his mind he came in and told me. He told me he intended leaving at the end of the year. That was when he finally made up his mind.

I will take a brief comment from Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy Bruton.

Is the Taoiseach saying now that Mr. Duffy did not intend to leave at the end of last year and that he did not advise the Taoiseach of his prospective employment? As this Question Time is coming to an end is it fair of the Taoiseach to characterise his remarks today by saying Mr. Duffy was forgetful, inefficient, even stupid – to use the Taoiseach's own word – but that he is completely innocent of any misconduct under the code to guide advisers? Is that a fair summary?

No, it is not. Anything the Deputy says would not be fair. In my estimation, in this matter, Mr. Duffy was not aware of the website. That is the circumstance in which I said it was stupid. He was not aware his name was posted on the website. I believe he was telling the truth. He would not have said that he was a non-executive director if he did not believe he was so. I have known him for 25 years. He is not a person who deliberately tells mistruths but he did make a fundamental mistake in believing that when he had filled up form B 10 his name would somehow get off it without him doing something about it. He did think that. He is a school teacher not a business person. That was an error and he said that in his own statement. He had no involvement with other matters which are attributed to him. He has paid the price. He is a person who does his business. He has been the subject of more front page articles than most Members in the past month. He has paid a heavy price. In my judgment of him, I say to Deputy Rabbitte who knows him quite well, he has been a good friend, a good political friend of mine, has a strong social conscience and is very strong on the Irish language and cultural matters. In this case he made a mistake and he paid the price for that. He did not give me the full facts, unfortunately, on the most serious matter.

The time is up. Deputy Rabbitte has had the floor and should resume his seat.

Is the Taoiseach telling this House that he did not discuss with Mr. Duffy his plans with regard to his employment?

I could not have discussed the plans until he told me he was leaving.

He told the Taoiseach last December.

No, he did not.

We cannot continue in this way.

I have given the date already. He told me just before the end of February. I have already stated that. Unfortunately, the Deputy was not listening.

I will allow a final brief question from Deputy Bruton.

I am sorry, I will not be brief.

The Chair has no option but to close this matter.