Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This Government is being treated as such. I do not want to see our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren being saddled with a debt that we are neither morally nor legally bound to repay. It should not be that way. What we are hearing is being proposed over the next couple of hours is an act of kicking the can further down the road, burdening our youngsters not yet born. They will be brought into the world with a massive debt over their heads.

We were told by the Taoiseach that we will not have "default" on our foreheads. I remember the day he said it. Any other country could do it and it would get away with such action. The Government is wrong and I strongly support this motion. If there is to be emergency legislation or an announcement, it will amount to another rushed decision made by people in a panic, like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a car. That is what the Government is like now, and it is not good enough that people supporting the Government are constantly criticising motions like this coming before the House. People should vote with their conscience.

We can see those people in their constituencies, telling people in public meetings that it is shame this or that is happening, with this or that being cut. What do the same Members do when they arrive here but row in like ducks behind the Government, waddling along to vote through every issue?

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