Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be supporting my constituents in Laois-Offaly and voting no confidence in this Government. I am beholden to no party here, but I serve my constituents to the best of my ability. We tabled a motion in February, leading the way in opposition, calling for an emergency budget. That was shot down. We also called for a number of emergency measures to be put in place. Again, there was no collaboration and that call was shot down. We have tried to collaborate but there appears to be no open door or political willingness.

It would serve the Minister, Deputy Ryan, much better to stop attacking rural Ireland on a daily basis. Will he just stop this crazy carry-on with the ban on online commercial sales of turf? He should cop on and engage with Electric Ireland, which will increase electricity bills by 29% for gas customers and 10.9% for electricity from next month. That is not right. Why is the Minister not engaging with Electric Ireland and using his time and energy in that way to serve the people, instead of attacking the culture and heritage of rural people all of the time? He does not have a clue. The Green Party has this country run into the ground. There are 12 Deputies running the show.

See this speech in context