Finance Minister and Deputy Premier Paula Cox reiterated yesterday that she is just a "cog in the wheel" of Government after a leading businessman suggested that she was rather more than that.

Speaking in a question-and-answer session at yesterday's Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast, Butterfield & Vallis president Jim Butterfield told Ms Cox he was concerned about her claim to be a mere "cog".

"As CEO of Bermuda Inc., you're a big wheel in what goes on in Bermuda," Mr. Butterfield said.

Ms Cox said she stood by her comment — first made in an interview with the Bermuda Sun — adding: "Government operates as a team and I am one aspect of the team."

In her original interview, Ms Cox said she could not overrule other ministers on expenditure without the support of Cabinet colleagues.

Former Premier and Finance Minister David Saul has argued that the Finance Minister has the final say on Government expenditure, as outlined in the Island's Constitution.

The issue came up again when Chamber executive director Diane Gordon said some of her members had concerns over the planned tourism "mega-fund" and the future of the municipalities.

Ms Cox said questions about the Tourism Ministry should be addressed to the Tourism Minister Premier Ewart Brown.

"What I am is the Minister of Finance," she said. "You can't use the Ministry of Finance as the intermediary for other ministries. As I said, I'm just one of the team."

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