Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I do not see it that way. We did not block the debate but the Taoiseach blocked Deputy Callely from speaking. He was blocked and silenced and that is an important issue. Adversarial politics aside, nobody on this side of the House takes any pleasure from the resignation of an office holder. In this case it is clear the Minister of State resisted resignation because he felt he took the rap on the nursing home charges issue and covered it up for the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin.

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