Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Five years ago, the party with the audacity to table a no-confidence motion brought this country to within an inch of its life. The current Fianna Fáil leader was a member of that Government, but on that occasion he chose to save his political career rather than the country by jumping from that sinking ship. That he would table a no-confidence motion in respect of this Taoiseach is the finest exercise in brass-neckery I have come across in quite some time.

Like other Deputies who have spoken, I have read the Fennelly report very thoroughly. Most of us debated it at some length in the media three weeks ago, and we will have other opportunities to do so. I agree fundamentally with Deputy O'Sullivan that a confidence motion is not the best way of dealing with this matter.

Let us revisit the record of this Government over the past four and a half years, since we are debating a confidence motion.

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