Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I had just two questions but now have three, because the question Deputy Coveney asked was not answered. Is the Minister's policy the Government policy? With regard to the independent expert, would the Minister not have been better advised to get this advice before he made his announcement, which seems to have been poorly thought out and does not deal with the shortfall in funding for the IRFU? The Minister seems to have ignored the issue of the shortfall and seems surprised this announcement has blown up in his face. The Minister has met with the IRFU and is aware of the financial difficulties he has created and, as far as I can gather, suggests the shortfall can be made up in other ways. If that is the case, would the Minister, for example, be willing to guarantee that shortfall on the basis that he is confident it can be made up in other ways?

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