Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, am quite dismayed by this. I made the point known at the Business Committee today that we in the Rural Independent Group do not support this. It is a massive amount of money. I do not disagree with the concept; I am all for it. Surely, however, it merits more debate than two minutes per group. Why is it being done on budget night when it is not part of the financial resolution package? I know it is a financial resolution and a pretty substantial one, but it is typical of the way this Government behaves. We did not even have a business meeting; we were only consulted by telephone. We are totally opposed to this. It is the right decision but we want to ensure a proper debate on the amount and maybe get some answers as we go forward. We are opposed to it.

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