David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. It is reasonable to have different positions on different parts of the island in view of the fact that Sinn Féin is in an all-party government in Northern Ireland, but also in view of the fact that the rates system there goes back to direct rule. I do not see it as a perfect system but at least I am honest and can come into this Chamber and say that I do not see it as the fairest or perfect system. I would like to see it reformed. I told the Minister on several occasions - it is a bit like "Groundhog Day" in this House - that we want to get fiscal powers for the Northern Ireland Assembly so we can make such decisions. Without that, the entire Assembly is constrained, including the party with which the Labour Party, Fine Gael and sometimes Fianna Fáil say they are affiliated, namely, the SDLP. It is interesting that all of the criticism in respect of what happens in the Assembly is directed at Sinn Féin but never at the SDLP or any of the other parties in the assembly. Obviously, that tells its own story.