Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With all respect to the Ceann Comhairle, I was not here the last day so I did not know whether the Minister was here or not. I was told. Dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi go raibh fear i dTiobraid Árann a bhfuil póca ina léine aige. He should be here. I would not criticise him for being here because it is his duty. He created this dog's dinner and he should be here to try to tame the dog and get him back into the kennel. We try to pass the legislation or deal with the amendments. I am not trying to hold up other speakers but am saying the Minister should be here. I did not criticise him for not being here. He was criticised for not being here but he should be big enough after what happened last night to be here and debate the Bill. He generated the Bill. I am sure most of the Government amendments have been submitted by him and his officials. I know there have been some fiery exchanges in the Cabinet over this, and I know there have been some with the staff of the Whip's office to try to get this in here at all costs. There were some fiery exchanges with myself. I had never spoken on this until last week when I was called-----

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