Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank all my colleagues who contributed to this important debate both yesterday and today. We have heard excellent contributions, including some particularly good maiden speeches from colleagues on all sides. It should be noted that during the debate we did not hear one contribution from the Green Party. This is the same party whose Member, Deputy Gormley, described the co-location proposal as a Frankenstein in a press statement issued six months ago. He did not have the courage of his convictions to explain why he has done such a drastic U-turn on the issue. The Green Party has serious questions to answer in respect of its duplicity, given the firm commitments it gave the public during the recent election campaign.

The Minister, Deputy Harney, had to leave the House as she was so overcome by the love-bombing from Fianna Fáil backbenchers. It was not always this way, of course. About a month ago they were individually filleting her in each of the 43 constituencies because she was being blamed for public anger on the doorsteps. I recall the remarks of Deputy O'Flynn at the time, who was specific as to where the blame lay.

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