Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

It is outrageous. These are the fears people have about this legislation. There have been Ministers in the Department since then, and I am not blaming him for that, but he is the Minister now. He is the strong man they tell us about who the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, praised the other day. He said the best Minister we have is Deputy Phil Hogan who can drive the household charge legislation and this Bill through the House. It is a case of to hell with the people - to hell or to Connacht. I ask the Minister to be honest and fair. He is telling us we will have legislation next week and that there will be consultation after the fact. I ask him to take a copy of the letter I read out and try to deal with it?

Deputy Coonan wants to interrupt me but I had tabled amendments in good faith. I did not come in here shouting and roaring. I had amendments down.

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