Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I am speaking honestly. Farming has become a lonely occupation, with people often not seeing anybody else from one day to the next. Rural pubs are paying rates, taxes and wages and are providing valuable services. Many communities do not have other facilities to convene meetings, facilitate a card game, allow mourners to meet after a funeral and so on. Many teetotallers frequent these pubs for the table quizzes, for example, that are held to fund-raise for local communities. I am disappointed the Bill does not include an incentive whereby publicans who purchases eight-seat vehicles to provide a transport service for customers could reclaim VRT or VAT against the purchase. Many publicans are already providing that type of service in rural areas and in smaller towns. When I walk out of this building tonight I will see dozens if not hundreds of taxis waiting for a fare. In rural areas, however, it is difficult to get a taxi, there is usually a long wait and it is very expensive. Publicans are being helpful in organising means of transport for customers. However, we are a difficult race of people; we may decide we do not want to leave at the same time as everybody else or we may not be on the best of terms with Johnny from up the road. That is part of our psyche in rural Ireland. The situation must be dealt with more sensitively.

I am very critical of the Minister because he did not listen to the case I and some of my colleagues had to make in respect of this legislation. It was not the first time he did not listen to his backbenchers or to his representatives. It is a pity he is not here tonight because I wanted to say this to him in the House. He does not listen to Members' concerns. He did not listen in the case of e-voting, he did not listen on the dual mandate and he has not listened on this Bill. He listens to Gay Byrne and Noel Brett. Authority has been given away from elected Members to various agencies. Where were those agencies during the recent severe weather conditions?

See this speech in context