Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

He threw something of a tantrum when he was faced with the truth and ran out of the Chamber when he was unable to take the heat. Imagine a Fine Gael Deputy for a rural constituency not knowing the basic facts regarding the availability of those grants.

The problem with the €540 million is that the Government is doing what was done in previous years. It does not matter which way the Government turns, it is taking money from the Exchequer. Twice already in this debate - I will not do it a third time - I have outlined the amount of money the Government is taking out of the Exchequer and loading onto the State's balance sheet to prop up the godforsaken entity that is Irish Water. The Government is sucking away €540 million from the motor tax to fill the hole left which is propping up the entity called Irish Water. That is what is happening. I advise the Minister not to proceed with this amendment.

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