Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I will get an answer in two months time. It is like the answer to previous questions. We are expected to accept there will be standards but the Minister will not tell us when they will be delivered. There is the same mystique around this. The Minister likes to create mystique around himself and his position and we have to wait and see what will happen. Money was put into offices in Waterford to maintain and enhance the status quo.

We clash every September, as in the all-Ireland final which is fine because it is sporting, but there is no need to beat up those in Tipperary because we do not take kindly to that. The Ceann Comhairle has an interest in Tipperary. We do not lie down easily and there is an old saying: "Where Tipperary leads Ireland follows." I ask the Minister to make haste slowly.

I do not see where savings can be made because where there was one headquarters there will now be two. I understand from some colleagues that the Minister has changed his mind on the town council aspect. I will have to wait for white smoke from the Fine Gael early Parliamentary Party like we had last night. I welcome what was decided. Perhaps something will happen here. I am not happy.

Why did the Minister pick retired Government officials to be part of the advisory group when 465,000 people are unemployed, some of whom are highly skilled and have a clean image? I am not saying the officials were bad but they are retired and were obviously partisan because of their views over the years. The Minister knows that. Why did he not pick unemployed people rather than bringing back retired people? He also appointed a north Tipperary county manager to chair the group which is not fair to south Tipperary.

See this speech in context