Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Taoiseach's comments last week where he praised the implementation of the Croke Park agreement. The evidence is that public servants are actively engaging in the process of delivering reforms and efficiencies. It is time that the rhetoric acknowledged this rather than being the empty tough talking some Ministers have engaged in regarding the agreement. Given the Taoiseach has praised the agreement's implementation, will he now have the courtesy to withdraw his statement that it was not being implemented? It is important that people are not left with the notion that he was simply playing politics on this issue. It would be a welcome acknowledgement if the Taoiseach confirmed that he no longer believes the agreement is being ignored.

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