Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

Níl mé sásta leis an Bhille seo ar chor ar bith. Labhair an Teachta Kitt faoi phoist sa Ghaeltacht ach níl a lán jobanna sa Ghaeltacht le ceithre bliana anuas. Principally, however, the Bill is concerned with the Government postponing the election to an t-údarás, not jobs in the Gaeltacht. The Government does not want to call the by-elections or this election. It should hold a general election and the election to an t-údarás on the same day. Even in Gaeltacht areas, where Fianna Fáil was traditionally strong, it is afraid of an election. Naturally it is holding on to power given its majority on an t-údarás and it is afraid of losing many seats, even in a Gaeltacht area.

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment but I appeal to him to hold the election. He should not be afraid of an election. Perhaps the long grass is not as bad as he thinks it might be, although the people are waiting there. Tá súil agam nach mbeidh a lán baill san údarás ag an Rialtas nuair a bheidh an toghchán sin ann.

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