Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Government and the Independent Deputies who support it voted down the carefully crafted, considered and reasonable proposals brought forward by Opposition parties and supported by all Opposition voices last night. That is an example of the terrible gulf in the relationship between the Government and other elected voices in the House. We are called on time and again by the Taoiseach to act in the collective national interest, yet there is no consultation or respect. The exercise this afternoon, as other voices have said, is an exercise in PR.

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