Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very sad to see what is happening. Speaking on behalf of the Rural Independent Group, this is very bad politics. The Ceann Comhairle, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and everybody else who takes the Chair, including myself, knows that the separation of powers is sacrosanct. We are being warned that we cannot stray into certain areas. I understand that. However, by giving ten minutes for statements and only five for questions, it is giving more latitude for people to stray into areas they should not stray into. I do not know what the Government is hiding but something certainly is being hidden. It has been forced into this climbdown.

We all objected yesterday to what was proposed and said that we would not attend the meeting of the Business Committee. When the Taoiseach announced today that the Minister was going to come into the House, we agreed to go to the meeting. However, that meeting was just a case of take it or leave it. We had a five-five vote and there was one missing.

We had an extra person from the Government today with a vote and I want to ask the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, if she or the Secretary General can tell me how come another Deputy was there who had never been at a Business Committee meeting before in my time. He was there when he was Whip and Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh. They had an extra vote. It was massing the troops to keep the Opposition down all the time.

This parlance looks to me like - I wish the Minister well and no disrespect - the youngest child in a big family, and the newest girl, and everybody else gathers around her to mind her and keep her safe. That is what it is. It is totally avoiding the responsibility.

I believe the former Minister, Deputy Flanagan, did the work here and the Minister was only just sent in then with the note. It was a case of "Off you go with that now". The business was done long before that Cabinet meeting on 5 July. It is an unsavoury, distasteful situation. It is shameful.

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