Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the European Communities Bill 2006. I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, for bringing this legislation before the House because, as a representative of a rural constituency, he is extremely brave to come to the House with a draconian Bill of this nature. I hope for his sake that the agriculture community in his constituency does not realise what he is proposing until after the forthcoming general election. If the penny drops with such people that the Minister of State is involved in this legislation, it will be difficult for him to get re-elected.

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