Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Indeed they do. I ask my Fianna Fáil colleagues to scratch their heads and think more deeply about what they are signing up to in supporting the motion. They should be more than just a mudguard for the Fine Gael-led Government. Mudguards collect dirt and often fall off, are driven over and wrecked. We must have proper consultation and a proper debate on this proposal. A previous speaker referred to the Citizens' Assembly, but we have had enough of that for now. This House is the real citizens' assembly and we must have a proper debate here and at the committee. Instead of presenting us with a simplistic fact sheet, the Government must allow us to debate the real facts. Deputy Lisa Chambers advised us to inform ourselves better on these matters. I do not know how we managed before she came into the House. She wants to lecture us and set the bar for the lesser people, but I will not take lessons from her on this issue. I look forward to having a proper debate on it.

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