I recently referred to the tyranny of consensus . . . Nor did my officials recommend the changes I introduced to the capital gains tax last year.

- The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy

The macho approach the Minister is taking is: I am in touch with the ordinary people, and my officials, who have not seen the light of day in years, are not. The Minister should not proceed along those lines.

- Mr Michael Noonan (FG)

I do not have a problem with the Minister rejecting advice, but he is making a distinction between himself and his Department.

- Mr Derek McDowell (Labour)