Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

I listened with interest to the arguments put forward by Government Deputies, particularly from the Green Party Member from Carlow, because I never heard such patronising drivel in all my life. To suggest that we are giving businesses a false hope by bringing forward this Bill reflects the unreality of Green Party Deputies. This legislation tries to find positive solutions to the real problems that people face in villages, towns and cities throughout the country because they cannot renegotiate their rents.

We are taking a realistic approach to the problem, backed by a sound body of legal opinion. Deputy Kennedy's demand that we put our legal opinion before the House is merely a digression from the issues at hand.

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