Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleagues for supporting the motion, particularly the Labour Party and Sinn Féin. I welcome Deputy Healy-Rae to the House, and I hope he and Deputy Lowry, who represent rural constituencies, will join us in what is a critical motion because of the signal it sends to a very important industry.

In his remarks Deputy Dooley cast aspersions on those who have travelled from all corners of the country to be in the Visitors Gallery for this debate. He stated this party had bussed in its supporters. In doing so he cast aspersions on the integrity of the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA and Macra na Feirme. I look up to the gallery and see patriots and farmers. I do not care what politics they have. They have a legitimate grievance. As Deputy McGinley has said, they are prepared, as they always have been, to shoulder their fair share of the burden. They will not be a soft touch for Government incompetence in management of the public finances in recent years.

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