Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With respect, is the Taoiseach saying it is appropriate for a local authority not to pay an education grant on the basis of whether the household charge has been paid? If so, he is clearly setting a dangerous precedent. Would he find it acceptable if the postmistress refused to pay children's allowance on the basis that a household had not paid the television licence? If he does, when will he bring appropriate legislation before the House to devolve the criminal justice system to the agencies of the State outside of the well established principles of the courts? Is he suggesting that local authorities can go ahead and enforce laws without them ever having been seen in this House? If he finds that a democratic approach to running this country, it says a lot about him and his Government. Can I have a straight answer on this?

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