Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I presume the Minister, Deputy Gormley, will return. Perhaps he will abstain on the vote since he made those promises to people in Cork and other areas. The Minister did not give much credit to the Minister of State when he was in Galway and he made the same point and indicated this is what he was planning.

I presume the if the Acting Chairman, Deputy Charlie O'Connor, were not in the Chair he would be on the floor advocating the acceptance of the amendment because he is a champion of the people he represents. It is a pity he is confined to important duties in the Chair rather than on this side of the House because I am certain he would speak in favour of the amendment.

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