Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are trying to have a serious debate here but the Minister is seeking to misrepresent me. He is long enough in this game to know that he should not fire shots of that sort across the table. I did not make the comments attributed to me. What the Minister said is disrespectful of my opinion and what I have stated at this committee. I have brought forward genuine amendments, one of which - relating to multiple contractors - has already been accepted. He brought forward an amendment in that regard himself. I am arguing in favour of a reduction in the price and I also tabled an amendment which the Minister stated he would consider in the context of the category of people who would not be eligible as a result of their properties being new builds. I did not say that every person in Donegal who has experience in construction is working in the black economy. I actually stated the opposite. Let us not get off on the wrong foot.