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

Two weeks ago, on behalf of Deputy Mattie McGrath and our group, I stated that it was the proper and correct thing for the Minister to come in. When you are in a hole and when you are digging, the best thing to do at some stage is to stop. The Taoiseach knows in his heart and soul this is not going to be given up. The leaders of the different groups are not going to give up.

This will be relentless and there is no harm in that if there is nothing to hide. Why should the Minister not come into the House and answer basic questions from Members who are elected to represent everybody? They just want answers. That is all there is to it. Why not, please, relent and stop the adversarial action the Taoiseach and his Government seem to be taking because in the end he will not win. She will have to come into the House and answer questions in a proper way. That is only right and proper and the Taoiseach may as well do it now rather than fight and do it next week or in two or three weeks. The sooner he does it, the better for him, the Government and the country.

See this speech in context