Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We read and researched this legislation. Then we tabled an amendment to the Bill, which we are entitled to do. We are thankful for having been allowed to speak on it. I stand over our issues in this regard. We are again dancing to European tunes. It is now 0.4047 hectare because of a European desire. The Minister would of course know nothing about this, but the typical cottage and associated acre have strong connotations for people. The charge of this being "a noose around people’s necks" is commonly used about the pressures of paying bills. It is not meant to be anything to do with anyone self-harming or anything else. If the Minister dispensed with his fancy language and fancy spin and went down the country, then he would understand what goes on in rural Ireland. I will not be lectured to, dictated to or insulted by the Minister. The people will deal with him in good time and they are fairly sick and tired of the Government playing to different tunes.

Words were attributed to me that I never uttered. If the Minister had bothered to check the video which exists, and it is still online where everybody can see it, he would know that I never used those words.

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