Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We found all of this out through freedom of information requests and from the media. We found out nothing from the Government. In fact, the last parliamentary question that the Minister, Deputy Reilly, answered in May stated that urban and rural deprivation was the clear criterion. He said nothing about anything else, and we have received no documentation from the Taoiseach or the Minister about broader criteria. That was not an honest reply. The Taoiseach needs to be honest and transparent with the House in this regard.

What is clear from all of this is that the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, plays by the rules, while Deputy Reilly does not. What is equally extraordinary is the degree to which the Labour Party hierarchy was willing to isolate Deputy Shortall to protect Deputy Reilly, and all in the name of deprivation. That is why Deputy Shortall stood her ground. Deputy Shortall's letter to Deputy Reilly gives the lie to what the Taoiseach just said.

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