Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

That is pity because I did not even start on some of the issues I had intended to address.

When considering the forthcoming referendum on the reform treaty, in respect of which everybody wants a "Yes" vote, one should remember that people are annoyed. I do not know whether the authorities in Brussels are gone mad or whether they do not have enough work. They throw a proposal into the bin one day and pick it up the next, saying they need to think up another to justify their salaries or expenses. On Monday, a man entered my clinic and referred to the spraying of cars. Those who spray cars in garages are to be subject to an inspection and will have to have a licence to operate. I have tabled parliamentary questions to determine whether this is on foot of a new EU directive. At the meeting the other night, I was not sure whether it was laid before the Dáil — I do not remember it. What has gone wrong? Have the authorities in Brussels and Dublin gone mad? Do they not want people to work? Do we want to have everybody in offices in the Civil Service so they can get their salary every Friday evening? Such people do not care because their cheque is available every Friday evening and they do not have to go out and try to make a living.

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