Both are natural political allies: Mr Lerach is said to give generously to the campaign funds of state treasurers, for instance.

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"He very generously offered to be the last money in, " Hayden said.

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He said that claims that teachers had marked controlled assessments too generously were based on "paltry evidence" and called the moderation of the qualification "poor, stressed and chaotic".

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Carmel Hanna of the SDLP said many of the managers who have left have been treated generously.

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