Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste cannot explain away the central contradiction of her position, and I would have thought this issue would have been of more concern to the Labour Party than to its Fine Gael colleagues. She cannot explain away the fact that by selling off the 25% stake, a strategic stake in this asset, the Government weakens the position of government, the State and the people. Given we are an island nation, this is of the utmost significance. We will still be an island in seven year's time, but perhaps that thought did not occur to her.

I am sure the Tánaiste will not concede any of my points, but her party colleague, Deputy McNamara, believes she is wrong. He differs. Of all of the Labour Party, he is the one who has taken a stand and differs from the Tánaiste's analysis.

See this speech in context