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

The worst aspect of what is going on here this evening is the sleight of hand way in which it is happening. That is probably the worst of all. I have no problem with any party or persons who want to bring a proposal before the House or Oireachtas committees, if they do so in a timely fashion and give everyone a chance to engage, debate, thrash it out, come to a consensus and have a vote if necessary. However, to rush something such as this sends out all the wrong messages, not just in the Houses of the Oireachtas, but around the country. It looks bad and that is why I am opposed to it.

If the Government had given a proper chance and opportunity for it to be debated in full, maybe a consensus could have been reached in some way. When it comes to the issue of fundraising, Independents and smaller parties realise that we are up against the might of the bigger parties and their wherewithal and army chests at all time. All we can rely on, when it comes to elections, is the goodwill of people who are willing roll up their sleeves and go out to canvas. Being an Independent is not easy when it comes to elections.

Having said all that, that is my concern. I do not, for one moment, mean to personally criticise the Minister of State when I criticise the amendment because everybody knows he is an inherently decent man. I acknowledge that. When I am critical of what he is proposing, I am not critical of the Minister of State. I am sure he knows and appreciates that. It is not so much what the Government is doing, but the way it is trying to rush it through. That is the difficulty I have.

See this speech in context