Page 119 of the programme for Government contains a promise for political reform. That promise appears, at the very least, a little aspirational now. I have a simple question for the Taoiseach. If The Sunday Times had not published the story about the Garda report last Sunday, is it not the case that the Taoiseach would not have asked Deputy Cowen to answer questions in the Dáil? Is it also not the case that the Taoiseach was relying on legal threats to gag the media and that he had agreed previously with Deputy Cowen that he would not tell the Dáil about the Garda report because the Taoiseach thought that those legal threats would prevent the media from publishing?

First, the Deputy made a statement earlier that was completely wrong and untrue. I did not collude with anybody regarding any legal action or any legal initiative. I respectfully suggest that the Deputy should not be making such loose allegations and assertions that are wholly without foundation.

I did not say that.

It comes easy to the Deputy's lips to throw innuendoes and accusations around the place.

Answer the question.

The Deputy is, however, out of order. Deputy Cowen took his own initiative regarding legal action to protect his name and reputation, as he saw it, and in respect of ascertaining his own personal data. I saw the PULSE detail yesterday morning for the first time and I also had a lengthy discussion with Deputy Cowen the evening before. I have already dealt with this issue in that respect.

My record in this House, since the day I was elected and since the time I have held many Ministries, has been about accountability to the House. I never held back and I have no issue regarding holding back from the House. Deputy Cowen, for his own reason, to which he is entitled, had a different perspective on the matter regarding pursuing his entitlements and rights as he saw it. That is particularly the case regarding the release of his data. The Deputy should not be accusing me of colluding in some sort of plot to suppress that-----

The Sunday Times-----

That is the position.

Deputy Murphy, please. The Deputy has had his question. I call Deputy Naughten.