Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

The contribution from Deputy McDonald is notable in three ways. The first is in regard to what I thought was a somewhat sneering hope that everything the State is clinging to will collapse into chaos so we can then use that as some way of winning an argument. The security and stability of the State is in question - we know that as well as the Deputy. We understand that we have a responsibility to keep our banking system intact and to find a way to regain the sovereignty of the State.

The second way in which the contribution was notable was that at no time during its eight to ten minutes did I hear a single statement regarding what Sinn Féin would do differently. Nowhere did I hear the course of action it would undertake if it ever found itself in a position of authority.

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