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

He is asking tough questions and I want to answer some of them, but I wanted to say that to him because I like to get the opportunity. The Deputy knows exactly what I think of him. I think he is a brilliant person and if more of them were like him, it would be a great country.

To answer some of the questions, first, we have to be factual about the ash dieback. Of course what the Deputy is saying is right. It is horrible if anyone cannot get out of it. It was an awful thing that happened but we cannot be responsible. A Department, a Government, the State cannot be held responsible for something horrible that goes wrong.

What the State is responsible for is how it is handled afterwards. Was it handled well and properly and adequately in 2013? No, it was not. Is it being handled and dealt with now adequately and financially? Within the financial constraints that apply, is the best possible package being given? Absolutely. I will put it up to the Deputy any day of the week that it is. It could not be better than it is now, because we could not give more than is being given. I will go through the figures again, but I do not want to repeat myself and I know the Deputy does not want me to either.