Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too wish the Taoiseach well. While we had many robust engagements, I thank him for his courtesy and co-operation. I know that he is an iar-mhúinteoir and fluent in both Latin and Irish, but I was intrigued by the comment on the young Turks who will follow him. I wonder to which of the said young Ministers he was really applying that terminology which, thank God, he did not repeat in English. I know that he had a full Cabinet at the start, but they are leaving one by one. Like the primroses, they melted from the ditch when the hailstones came. Are they in it for the long haul? Are they able for it and up for it? I do not know. Time will tell.

I have a more important question. IDA Ireland has only recruited one of the ten staff approved to deal with Brexit. It obtained approval to employ ten extra high-powered and able staff who would know what they were doing, but it has only recruited one of them and I want to know why. It is the same IDA Ireland that is demolishing small businesses in my county. It was very jealous when its sister organisation, ConnectIreland, and Connect Tipperary in particular, were set up. Why has it not appointed the other nine? Most agencies in Ireland complain that they do not have enough resources. IDA Ireland received approval to fill ten places. It is disgraceful that it has only filled one, given the serious implications Brexit will have down the line. I would like to receie an answer from the Taoiseach as Gaeilge nó as Béarla.

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