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

The Taoiseach might get away with that answer but he will not get away with it from me because he is trying to do the same thing to the Independents. It is not welcomed by us to think that he is trying to gag us at this time. What he, his Chief Whip and others have tried to do in recent weeks is to silence us. Not only is he putting us at the end of the pecking order; he would like to have us outside the door completely if he was able to do that.

Thanks to the electorate, so far the Taoiseach has not been able to do that.

I know the Ceann Comhairle will respect very much the sincerity of my next request. When will we have an opportunity to try to put our shoulders to the wheel in a sensible and meaningful way to support the airline industry, travel agents, the airports and that whole sector? They are suffering so much.

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