Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I must object to rushing this legislation. Rushed legislation is normally bad legislation. We do not have enough time to debate it. I am unsure as to how many Deputies will be present to vote.

The Taoiseach has stopped briefing Opposition leaders, including me. Contrary to what he told the House last week, we have not had a briefing since November. He will hide from accountability by having no Taoiseach's questions or a proper debate. We expect the little people - I mean the ordinary people and nothing derogatory - to comply with everything but the Government has refused to close the Border. I have said we should close the Border at every meeting we have had since last March. It is farcical that we will not have enough time to debate this Bill. Our amendments cannot be moved and discussed. It will end up in a mess.

See this speech in context