Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

-----in respect of two people, the whole thing is quite mad. I am surprised that some Members of the Labour Party, whom I regard with friendship, would go along with this bogus debate.

First, I refer to the element of the Opposition that is particularly noticeable at local level on local councils or county councils. They never see any good in anything. They are "appalled" - I use the word advisedly in inverted commas - by every decision taken by the Government. They are appalled and state this absolutely is the worst ever measure of which they ever have heard or will ever hear or see in their lifetimes. If only they could be in government right now as I would not be appalled but would understand quite well that this is the carry-on.

See this speech in context