Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Ceann Comhairle just informed the Dáil that we will do what the Taoiseach directed us to do. That might have been a slip of the tongue, and if it was I invite the Ceann Comhairle to clarify that. We have a Constitution and we have three branches of Government. One has barely functioned for the past three months, one is in self-isolation, and we are sitting. The role of the Taoiseach is not to tell the Dáil what to do. It is the role of the Dáil to hold the Taoiseach to account. I am quite concerned. I am not looking for a post mortem but I agree with colleagues in the Chamber that we must recognise this is a shambles and ensure it does not happen again.

We are elected.

As human beings, we all fail repeatedly, but as a collective, as a Legislature, we are elected to show leadership but that is sorely missing in this State at this moment.

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