Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

When the Minister of State has been somewhat longer in this House and has some more experience he will recognise the snail. He should not forget the phrase "aithníonn ciaróg, ciaróg eile". He might even recognise more than the snail.

The Minister of State was oblivious to some of the things happening around budget time in his own Department. His senior Minister said he was an innocent lad, a bystander who knew nothing about this until he heard about it in a pub. The poor creature then ran out to have the photostats blown up to announce that he would welcome all and sundry into his bailiwick, including I hope l'escargot.

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