Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)

Unfortunately, the full facts and information are not available and that is how the Minister has made a mess of it.

I wish to highlight another issue and hope someone outside the House is taking note of this debate. Members are dealing with important issues and very important probing questions are being asked by Members on this side of the House. In a short time the division bells will ring and it will be like blue flies coming through the door. Members will rush in to vote against the Opposition at every opportunity, albeit not to listen to it. However, where are these blue flies now? Why are they not present in the Chamber to engage and participate in the debate and either support the amendment and try to justify what they are doing or give their reasons for opposing it? Why are they not present to engage in this very important debate? I particularly wish to address my comments to rural Deputies. Regardless of whether he or she supports the Government, any rural Deputy worth his or her salt should be present in the Chamber to debate this legislation. I warn those from rural areas who are going to offer the Government their blind support that they will be obliged to inform their constituents why they will be obliged to comply with the legislation at a time when the local authorities are the most major polluters.

Sinn Féin and other groups have been targeted and accused of misinformation. They have provided the best information available to them. Unfortunately, however, the Government fell short in this regard because it did not provide us with the correct information during this entire process. It is a bit rich for the Minister to refer to what he stated on Committee Stage. He only provided Members with the relevant information at that point. Why did he not supply such information months ago?

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