Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I just said that the Deputy was casting aspersions on other Members who were not supporting this motion, and if she did not mention us, I am also a member of the Rural Independent Group. We are not supporting and will not be supporting this motion and neither will we be taking any lectures. I added a caveat that the Deputy got into trouble before for saying things about soldiers, when it was not exactly 100%.

We should all go out and meet the unfortunate people outside the gates of this House, proud people who are living on a whim, as it were. They are flocking away from the Army. The Government will have all these SatComs and God knows what and it will have no soldiers on the ground to do anything in Ireland. They have helped out when we have had flooding and in times of emergencies. The Government should support and respect them, rather than getting involved in business that is none of our business. It should keep out of it.

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