Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Every time the Taoiseach is asked a question and is caught breaking a promise, he avoids answering the direct question asked. It seems his commitment to change has lasted about as long as the pledge of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, on student fees.

The Taoiseach will, I hope, have seen the detailed briefing on the damage done by the comments of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar. The biggest problem, however, is that many people are stating openly in writing and opining that the Minister was telling the truth and that the Taoiseach and his Minister for Finance are denying it because they must. The implication that the Taoiseach is not telling the truth is deeply damaging and inappropriate.

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