Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

We are calling for Deputies to support those working in the community sector and, most of all, to support those people who depend on the community sector for their quality of life. The Deputies are in their clinics, walking the streets and talking to people; they know how hard things are for many people and they know the desperation that is out there. They know that what the Government is doing in their name is wrong, but they blame the troika and the previous Administration and they hide behind the party whip. They say "I know we promised during the election campaign that we would do certain things, but we cannot do them now because the troika will not let us." Equality of pain is the issue. Every Deputy in this House, irrespective of party, has an opportunity tonight. They have their minds and they have their conscience, and they have a finger that can push the red button or the green button. I ask them to take courage and do the right thing - vote against the Government's nonsensical amendment and vote in favour of this good, pro-people motion from Sinn Féin. I ask them to do the right thing.

See this speech in context