Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I then decided I had better warn him that if he were to exercise this power, he could well guarantee that the citadel will be stormed. Whatever chance we have of keeping our heads above water, the Minister needs to be careful what category he chooses to exempt.

What does the term "materially distinguished" mean in these circumstances? Those who authored this provision must have in mind some category where the Minister believes his writ will not run. This provision will need to be exercised with great caution because there is enough public resentment without some seemingly well remunerated group managing to get under the wire by resort to this provision.

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