Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I could not agree with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle more. Every word he said is 100% correct. I agree with him and will do exactly what he says to the letter of the law. He is the boss.

Sticking 100% to the Bill, I say to the Minister that I do not agree with it. I fundamentally, heart and soul, disagree with it. I am sorry that my colleagues and I do not have more support. Tonight and tomorrow will be remembered for years to come. People will look back at the changes being made and will see that letting this happen was a big mistake. They will ask where the politicians were and the answer will be that many of them were asleep at the wheel. They could not see what was happening and did not realise the enormity of the implications for people.

I have made my case in the fairest, most honest, straightforward way, and nobody, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle included, could disagree or find fault with the sincerity of my argument. He has visited County Kerry and he has seen what life is like there. He knows the people I am talking about. He can see why I am so passionate about this, why I believe what I am saying and why I believe I am correct. It is seldom that I will be heard saying I am right and someone else is wrong but in this case I think I am and it would be neglectful of me not to say that. I am glad to be here and to have had the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his indulgence.

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