Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Hogan for giving me an opportunity to speak so early in the debate. All Dublin Deputies should speak in this debate because I believe if a free vote were held on this proposal from the Minister, Deputy Gormley, a significant majority of Deputies would be against it. I have yet to meet one Dublin Fianna Fáil Deputy who supports this proposal.

The former Lord Mayor, and even the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, who presumably will be trooped through the lobbies to vote for this measure, has described this as a non-job. The former Lord Mayor said he would not be interested in it. What the Minister, Deputy Gormley, is doing now is an illustration of the arrogance of people like the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, and others. He is pushing through the Houses something that no one wants, that has not been thought out and that does not have popular support.

The Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe, sits smiling on the opposite side of the House and tells us about the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. I did not realise he was such an advocate of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce but-----

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