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

I am delighted the Tánaiste gave the little dig that I stand for the past. If he had been listening to my question or understood it, he would have heard me say the terminal could be repurposed at a future date, but he chose to ignore that.

When the Tánaiste speaks about An Bord Pleanála, he must remember it will always adhere to and look at Government policy, so he should not try to cod the people of Kerry or the people of Ireland by saying the Government is against it but at the same time that if the promoters get it in spite of the Government, then they will miraculously get it. The Tánaiste purposely chose to ignore the fact there were Fine Gael Deputies and councillors out there trying to cover over the mess the Tánaiste created for them, locally and electorally.

The one thing I want to take the Tánaiste up on was when he got in a little dig. He asked whether I understood the answer he gave to Deputy McDonald and others. I will say one thing clearly to the Tánaiste. When it comes to understanding the electorate and the people of Ireland and what they want and what they require, the people can look at the Tánaiste and listen to him or they can look at me and listen to me. Let the people decide who they think is more in tune with what the people of Ireland require.

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