Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing us to speak. I also thank my colleagues in the House. We were watching the monitor and did not realise that the Regional Independent Group did not have a speaker. I was present for the Taoiseach’s speech. On that note, I convey my thanks again to the Chair.

The Taoiseach mentioned a meeting and an engagement with six countries in eastern Europe, which are interested in joining the EU. He also spoke about the ambitious recovery plan and a meeting with the President of the European Central Bank, who painted a very stark picture of recovery up to late 2022. If the so-called green, blue, and lighter green deal gets through next week, the Taoiseach may hope to be back holding the reins again when the money starts to flow again. There may be some subtle thinking going on there as he may know something more than some of us here know.

On the issue of demonstrating solidarity in Europe, the EU did not demonstrate solidarity in the past. When the banks collapsed here, we were robbed blind by our EU colleagues. We got money from the International Monetary Fund at an interest rate of less than 3% whereas our so-called friends and partners, to whom we had been so loyal, charged us almost 6% - 5.9% to be exact. Where was the solidarity there? We need to be kicking and hammering the table. I appreciate the Minister of State’s job but we need to get bang for our buck and as much of the funds and corona bonds as possible because we need it for our businesses, as Deputy McNamara just pointed out. Why would they give it to us when they see the way our Government treats small businesses?

Take the rates moratorium. I have had endless numbers of people in Tipperary on to me in the past week getting their second moiety bill for a full rate for 2020. They have been shut down by the Government - we all, in fairness, myself included, agreed to that - and denied the power to work and to continue to earn revenue in order that they could pay their rates. I am told, however, by the local authority in Tipperary that the Government has not given them a penny. That is why. The local authorities are legally obliged to send out the second moiety. They have no indication as to the holiday for the three months they got at first or the parking of it. Is it to be extended for another month or two, which it should be? They got no funding. That is way the Government is blackguarding local authorities and, by extension, blackguarding the ratepayers. These are the people who keep our towns and pay the rates - generate the money, employ people, pay their taxes and pay rates for which they get so few services any more. One time, when I was a duine beag, they got many services, there were corporation staff and they got refuse collection, water and everything. They got maintenance of the streets and footpaths. Now one would not get an eggcup of salt in a frost or anything else, and one is expected to pay the rates. One restaurant owner's rates are twice as much as they were last year. That is shocking. They have been blindfolded and their hands tied behind their back and not allowed to work, and now they are not getting a break. Of course, there are big announcements, public relations, PR, and spin. I saw the Taoiseach last night called Sinn Féin "the spin party", but he is the man with the spin and the big spin machine. That was all announced in a blaze of glory. We all welcomed it. Now, show me the money. They cannot see the money. The local authorities are sending out the bills for a full year's rates. This is the second moiety. It will be due in July. I salute the ratepayers up and down Tipperary and the rest of the country who have been paying their rates.

When we had rate collectors, they had a good relationship and they always paid them. The farmers paid their rates too when they were there before we had the great giveaway in 1977, when we started the auction politics and when I, like an eejit, was putting up posters on the poles, much to my regret, saying we welcome this and no car tax. We have paid the price ever since. The auction politics is still going on. We have a leader now who would give anything to get into the Taoiseach's seat over there. I mean a Fianna Fáil leader, not my leader, I would say, thanks be to God, and meaning no disrespect to Deputy Haughey. If the Deputy's late dad came back, he would put manners on many of them and they would be a party to support and admire.

Why would Europe give us the money when they see the way we treat funds that have come from Europe? What do we do here with our legions of bureaucrats? We add more statutory instruments on statutory instruments and more amendments. We make it three times or four times as hard. The French people would not take it. The Germans would not take it but we are the patsies in Europe. We take everything. We are the good boys in Europe. Now it is time for Europe to show solidarity with us here. The Taoiseach mentioned it there, but he should show me the money. It is fine to mention it but we need to see it in hard cash. We need schemes that support farming industry in Tipperary and small businesses all over the country. They are on their knees and they are pleading. Above all, they have been denied the right to continue trading and now they are not allowed any supports where these were promised.

See this speech in context