Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week at Question Time, the Minister for Justice and Equality treated the Opposition and this House with utter contempt in the way he responded to questions. He came into the House today and read a speech but he should saved it for the Fine Gael Ard-Fheis. This nonsense where the business of the Dáil has been suspended for a three-day plethora of speeches by Ministers patting themselves on the back shows they are completely out of touch with the public. If they want to have a moment of self-congratulation, it is for an Ard-Fheis or an annual conference. The Labour Party had its annual conference a number of weeks ago and Fine Gael had its Ard-Fheis last weekend at which the Minister for Justice and Equality received a standing ovation which was completely out of keeping with the public mindset. That is Fine Gael's internal business but to bring it into this House is ridiculous. Unfortunately, we must engage with it and give our response.

The Minister for Justice and Equality has treated us contemptibly again today. He came into the House, delivered a speech which was a load of nonsense and then walked out before any of us had a chance to respond.

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