Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall to fill Deputy Michael Healy-Rae's shoes. He is chairing a very important Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Portuguese ambassador and other people at present. We also have an invitation to the embassy tonight, which we hope to take up. The committee meeting is very important business. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae sends his apologies that he cannot be here to speak this evening.

I am happy to speak briefly on this matter. I do not mean any offence to the Aire Stáit, the Minister of State, but I am disappointed the Taoiseach is no longer here. I have noticed a pattern in this regard when we have these statements. I understand his not being here when he is out of the country or whatever, but he was here until the Independents behind me, Deputies Daly and Wallace, started to speak and then he fled like the snow off a ditch. It is bad manners. I and other Independents are also here and we represent people as well. We represent rural people who are badly affected by this. If the Taoiseach could sit in for the Fianna Fáil speech-----

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