Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I speak directly to the Independent Deputies whose support keeps this week an ineffective Government in power. We have all had ringside seats to witness the repeated incompetence of this coalition. These parties have failed the people of the Independent Deputies' constituencies and all they get from them are shrugs of the shoulders, excuses, alibis and heckling - they are good at that. Let me ask the Independent Deputies in all sincerity: is that good enough for the people they represent? Can they honestly look their constituents in the eye and say to them that this confused directionless Government is the one to lead the country over the next two years? That is the question. Independent Deputies have a chance to stand up and make a difference, and the ball is in their court. Will they stand with the workers and families they represent or will they back a Government that consistently lets them down?

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