Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is clear that this exercise, meeting and the antics proposed today are intended to counteract the bad publicity and reaction in rural Ireland following the introduction of the Minister's Bill which was supported by most Oireachtas Members. It is no wonder that there is outrage and uproar around rural Ireland. Local and European elections are coming and candidates are getting it in the neck. That is why Ministers are proposing something to deflect from the real issues and problems people in rural Ireland have faced since the introduction of the Minister's Bill, whether it is the young fellow who cannot drive on his own on a provisional licence or those facing the morning checkpoints initiated across all county boundaries and Garda divisions.

Whatever type of service is put in place, it will not deal with the issues that people are facing the following morning when they cannot go to work. The social fabric of rural Ireland has been blown to smithereens in one swipe. I do not know if it can be reversed but it should be reversed and that is the only way they will bring-----