Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the very positive and constructive contribution made by my colleague from west Galway, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív. On the interaction earlier between him and Deputy Jerry Buttimer, I have to say Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív has always acted on behalf of all the interests of his constituency, regardless of age, colour, sexual orientation or religion. He has always acted without fear or favour. In fairness to Deputy Jerry Buttimer, he did say it was not part of Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív’s political ideology.

The Minister and his colleagues in the Labour Party could have chosen a different course after the 2011 general election. They could have occupied the seats opposite and engaged in the political rhetoric we have heard from Sinn Féin, some of the Opposition groups and the Independents in the recent past., but they chose not to. They chose to put the country first. Although we have made very difficult decisions and people have had to make great sacrifices, as a result of the courage of the Minister and his colleagues in the Labour Party, the country is in a much stronger place today than it was in 2011.

There were six divisions between last night and this morning on the scheduling of the Report Stage debate; Members objected and wanted more time. There is one member of Sinn Féin present, Deputy Brian Stanley. There is no member of Renua present, even though it strenuously opposed and voted against the Order of Business today.

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