Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----for another year. The people want rid of Fianna Fáil because it has failed them. What will happen is that they will get rid of Fianna Fáil altogether because they are so disgusted. Fianna Fáil is a fake Opposition. Fianna Fáil was united last week when it came to abortion. Fianna Fáil can be as united as it likes. It can unite on this issue but it cannot unite and build houses for people or listen to the people who want to build houses. The way people are being treated is downright blackguarding and treachery. To think we will have to put up with Fianna Fáil for another year is an abomination to the public, to me and to many others. I agree that Brexit is most serious but it beats Banagher to give the Government another year. Confidence and supply is based on having a fake Opposition. It is totally farcical. Fianna Fáil is not delivering the goods for anybody, whether it is in housing, health, in providing decent jobs for people or supporting communities. Ní neart go chur le chéile. I do not know what is going on or what has got into the main Opposition party, as it was supposed to be, to give so long talking about it – five or six months – and to announce today that it would keep the members of the Government in their State cars for another year, and then it will see. I heard Deputy Micheál Martin state that the agreement will continue unless something interrupts it. The Government could drop the ball. Fianna Fáil could drop the ball at any time because it is afraid of the ball. They are afraid of the people and they will not face them.

My parting word to the Minister of State is to get some houses built, keep people in their homes, change the legislation on evictions and give people some bit of respect.

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