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

and was quoted as stating: "We are going to have to do something about Reilly and soon. Clearly he is not up to the job of being Minister, and in my view he should go. He simply can't do his job, makes a hash of everything he [does]". The key intervention was made by the Minister, Deputy Quinn's, when he responded that "your sentiments are shared by your cabinet colleagues", but he then went to state that the party "can't be seen to be looking for a head".

The Minister, Deputy Quinn, is fast becoming the poster boy of breathtaking political cynicism in this House. He did not speak during the debate on that confidence motion, but he voted confidence in the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and acquiesced in the principled resignation of then Minister of State, Deputy Shortall. Now we have learned that all along he did not believe any of that.

I believe that the Minister, Deputy Quinn, did speak thus at the Labour Parliamentary Party meeting.

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