Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

This is my first opportunity to address the Minister for Finance in this House and I wish him well in his personal battle.

Time allows me to make three points very briefly. We have just heard some evidence of the first, that Fianna Fáil is staging a cover up of its administration since 1997 and particularly since 2002. We will undoubtedly pursue that in due course.

My remaining two points are more important to our current situation. The reasons given for preventing this Parliament from conducting its affairs are an insult to republican democracy in this State.

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