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

In my book, local councillors are not thanked half enough for the work they do. The Labour Party and Fine Gael thanked them by getting rid of them. It is hypocritical of Deputy Howlin to propose now that these councils be re-established. He and his ministerial colleagues did not listen to us at the time. We did not just ask them to retain the councils; we begged them to do so. It was not about saving money. The Government of the time was being stupid and arrogant. Deputy Howlin has now realised that a big mistake was made. Other people like Deputy Alan Kelly are not here. I hate talking about people who are not in the Chamber. Their heads were so far up, where I will not say, they could not see the light of day.

See this speech in context