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

Cohesion Fund expenditure in another country can be of great benefit to Irish companies that supply services to many of the countries that require such funding in a single market. I do not like the fact that we seem to have been very isolated in the past 12 months in the budget negotiations.

The appointment of Mr. Mersch was organised by a cabal or elite group. Somebody must make a stand from time to time and I regret that the Government did not oppose the appointment. It is not a question of being isolated as we are entitled to take a stand on issues. One constantly hears the diplomatic statement, "We do not want to be isolated on anything." Every now and again, however, standing up for a principle earns one greater respect from colleagues and others around the table-----

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