Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá an-ionadh orm go bhfuil an méid argóinte agus conspóide ag baint leis an nGnó Comhaltaí Príobháideacha seo. Tá an rún atá os ár gcomhair an-simplí - níl i gceist ach ceist a chur. The motion is a very simple one. It is expressed in plain and non-threatening language. It is about putting a question, lobbying and asking for an exemption. It does not use the language of assertion or aggression. It is not threatening or demanding. It simply requests that we should look for something that, if granted, will be of substantial benefit to this country and its people. It is hard to understand the opposition to this simple request.

The naive side of me wonders whether the reason for the Government amendment is that it is already in negotiations on this matter. I hope this is the case, but I have to be realistic when I see that the amendment uses language like "a fairer and more sustainable arrangement", "the best outcome" and "the best course of action". In its use of a phrase like "the implications of not making such payments, or raising the possibility of refusing to make these payments", the amendment misses the whole point of the motion. It makes something of it that is not appropriate. The amendment also refers to "our European partners". In my view, the term "partners" suggests an equality between people, but instead of that we have a hard task master.

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