David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

There is either an issue at stake or there is not. The Minister and the Minister of State failed to acknowledge or speak to the motion. They also failed to indicate whether a problem exists and, if it does, the scale thereof. These are serious issues that affect people and their families. The latter are suffering. Neither the Minister nor the Minister of State acknowledged that fact. Both contributions were back-slapping, self-congratulatory, amateurish and insulting in nature. I do not like to say that but I am extremely angry about this matter. In addition, I am extremely concerned. I am of the impression that neither the Minister nor the Minister of State saw their speeches before they entered the House. They merely took possession of them and read them into the record. It seems there is an attitude to the effect that "We will go home and all will be grand". However, people are suffering and the Minister and Minister of State do not even seem to care.

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