Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. If I could be allowed to finish, this is the biggest attack on rural Ireland by the Minister - "Big Phil" as I call him. He is fleeing to Europe. It is an attack on community development and the volunteers that I salute and have worked with over the years, unlike Deputy Hayes, who could not be found. He was in Brussels or gone off on some other holiday. I stood with the people and will stand with them. This is not over. I have notice of a diktat for next Friday's council meeting on Putting People First. It is an instruction from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government telling people that they are not to select members to sit on the boards at their AGMs around the country next Friday. Is that not interference by the Minister? The sooner he leaves for Brussels the better. The former Minister, Deputy Shatter, has already left. The Minister of State voted confidence in him. The sooner he leaves this country on board a ship the better because he has to get protection in Kilkenny. The Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, will need it in Tipperary if he keeps going on the way he has done, trying to fool the people.

See this speech in context