Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Barry Cowen for his kind remarks. I have been contacted by a large number of people from around the country and living abroad and express my thanks to all of them. The issue was not about me, in particular, but about the 60 young people who were graduating on the day. Their community and An Cosán are very proud of them, whereas the people leading the protest did not seem to have a care for them.

With regard to the people of Tallaght, especially Jobstown, I attended a large event the other day involving schools in Jobstown and Tallaght generally. The second year students in attendance were very proud and well turned out. They hope one day to go to Trinity College Dublin or one of the other universities and colleges under the Access programme. One could not but be proud of them. The protestors and those who led the protests did no favours to the young people who were present.

If Irish Water is Fine Gael's love child, as Deputy Barry Cowen describes it, the Fianna Fáil Party had a hand in its conception because it left-----

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