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

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this important matter. A good and vibrant construction industry is vital for the way forward for our country. As someone who has employed people all of my life, I understand and know what it is to employ people safely and pay them properly. Friday evening comes very quickly when businesses employ people who need and have to be paid. They will not last too long if we do not pay them. I am glad that people are now properly paid, which is very good because they work for their money and are entitled to that. We appreciate the people who work for us and those who work for everyone else because they are vital.

We have a highly regulated construction industry. We have Safe Pass cards and driver's tickets. People cannot drive if they do not have a ticket. People who have a ticket for one machine are not entitled to drive another unless they have a ticket for it as well. There are different tickets. I know all about them. I have a ticket for every machine. I can drive the biggest lorry on the road. I have a licence for that. I am proud to be the owner of those licences and tickets because we would not have them if we were not able to do these things and do them properly.

There are great people out there, but we must entice youngsters into the-----

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