I will now take Leaders' Questions under Standing Order 27, as amended. The standing order allows for a brief question on a matter of topical and public importance from the leaders of the Fine Gael and Labour parties.

I hope the Ceann Comhairle's enthusiasm is a little more restrained today. I did not know the Ceann Comhairle brought his own china shop with him.

There is a programme on Channel Four called "Deal or No Deal". Yesterday, the Taoiseach indicated to the House that he had a political arrangement worked out with three, not four, Independent Members. I have no reason to doubt the word of Deputy Flynn who, following her meeting with him, stated she had a deal with the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach confirmed yesterday that he has no such deal when responding to questions on the arrangement with other Independent Members, which obviously affect the national development programme, State agencies and priority issues in the Deputies' constituencies. As far as I can ascertain, RTE is the only State agency that would appear to be affected by any deal with Deputy Flynn having come to an agreement with her to write off a large part of the moneys claimed to be due arising from a court case. The Taoiseach's comments, before the court case, were quite extraordinary and are causing confusion as to whether this was a part of some deal.

I have no knowledge of and nor have I been in any way involved in Deputy Beverly Flynn's deal, negotiations or settlement with RTE. She never raised the issue of RTE with me. In fairness to her, she never mentioned it.

I am quite sure the Taoiseach can understand licence payers' outrage. They see advertisements on the television about the serious consequences of not paying their licence fees. An amount of money of the size in question may have to go before the RTE Authority, which is appointed in full by the Government. Will the Government take into account the shortfall that results from the agreement with RTE when the opportunity next arises?

On the day the Taoiseach was elected, Deputy Flynn commented that she had tied down a very generous verbal agreement with him just hours before the vote for Taoiseach took place and that she was very pleased with what was agreed. She went on to say that she had no comment to make on it but that all would become apparent shortly. The Taoiseach was elected on 14 June and gave an interview on 15 June. Matters became apparent shortly after that when RTE suddenly agreed to waive an amount of money due to it. Deputy Flynn, the veracity of whose comments I have no reason to doubt, says she has a deal with the Taoiseach. However, the Taoiseach says he has no deal with her. Is there a deal or is there no deal? Somebody is not telling the truth.

Deputy Kenny is trying to imply that I had some discussion, arrangement or understanding with Deputy Flynn implicating RTE.

That is not what he said.

It is what Deputy Kenny is implying.

Was there a deal and what is the content?

Is this something to do with the tribunal?

Let us cut to the chase and stop at the tape.

Was there a deal?

There was no discussion between me as leader of Fianna Fáil or as Taoiseach with Deputy Flynn regarding her case, or her pending settlement with RTE. She did not raise the issue.

She did not have to.

She did not imply that she was trying to settle or that she was going to pay. There was no discussion.

What was the deal? Did it relate to the timing of the announcement?

I stated in the interview that in my judgment Deputy Flynn's future lay in Fianna Fáil.

The deal was that the Taoiseach would say that.

What was the quid pro quo?

What about the tribunal?

I said nothing about RTE. Deputy Kenny has been long enough in that seat, never mind in this House——

The agreement was that the Taoiseach would say what he said while the matter was sub judice.

Deputy Kenny is well able to answer questions. He does not need Deputy Bruton's help.

He does not have another opportunity.

The Deputy's interruptions did not do him much good during the election.

RTE's independence is well known. I do not believe Deputy Bruton does it much service by questioning its independence.

That is gibberish. The Taoiseach should not go there.

What else did the Taoiseach say?

I call the leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Rabbitte.