Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In answering, this is one of the points of disagreement I have with Deputy Michael McGrath. I find in Europe that if one deals technically, one will lose. If one deals strategically, one gets places. One always needs to have a number of options. The idea of settling and saying we will apply now and on their refusal, it is off the table is not the way Europe works. If one has a demand which a lot of people think is credible, one should let it sit there. If one thinks they are going to say "No", one should not push them, but the following year, when something else happens, one can say one has a legitimate concern in place which they have not settled with one. One must keep a number of strategies and plans going in parallel. I do not agree with Deputy Michael McGrath that one tells them if they do not agree to give one money by Christmas Eve-----