Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I never expected the Minister, Deputy Harney, to quit. This Government does not do resignation. It cannot do resignation because that culture comes from the top, from a Taoiseach who has lost the confidence of the people but clings to power.

The Taoiseach and the rest of them will support the Minister, Deputy Harney, because his party needs her. Deputy Harney is the mudguard of the Fianna Fáil Party, and the now spineless Green Party, whose members stated here on the motion of confidence in the Taoiseach that their job is to look after themselves. Of course they will vote for the Minister. If they had any sense, they would not because when they go back to their constituencies they want to be able to state that, as they themselves know, she is the remnants of the Progressive Democrats and leave her there for the time being.

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