Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We object to the Order of Business. We have had no proper discussion on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. We are aware that peat producers and those who operate nurseries are outside the House today and are greatly concerned about issues coming down the track in that regard.

On the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, Deputies still do not received copies of the legislation that the Cabinet is supposed to have produced. We are supposed to have a amendments in by 5 p.m. After a row at the Business Committee, my group will have ten minutes - one minute and 40 seconds per Deputy - to speak on this important legislation. The Government has a totalitarian and authoritarian agenda. We are in danger of becoming a checkpoint society where anyone from bouncers, restaurant staff and gardaí can demand to see our medical papers. This is unethical. It is medical apartheid, as I said last week. We have been told through briefings that the Minister for Health can, at any time, introduce statutory instruments to allow another group of people to do this. It could be the Army or anybody who decides to do it. I am looking for more time for the debate on this legislation. It cannot go ahead. This legislation is totally regressive and yet we do not have time to debate it. The Dáil must sit on Friday or next week to debate it properly.

See this speech in context