Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The Minister failed to recognise trends. He failed to recognise the importance of the decision and the impact it is likely to have on the consumer. He failed to reduce the threat to industry and jobs because he did not address them. The Government, with the full approval of the Minister, has given backing to ripping off the Irish consumer, industry and the economy. It has done so willfully in the run-up to a general election in a disgraceful way for which it should be thoroughly ashamed.

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