Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will take no lecture from Deputy Bacik. She will be gone like the last leader, before it even gets dark. That is what happens with the Labour Party. It was founded in Clonmel. It was a proud party that represented rural Ireland and the people of Tipperary. Now what is it? It is languishing and in the doldrums. We will not take any lectures like that. I thank the House for its indulgence.

The issue I want to raise concerns motorbikes, which I raised three weeks ago. Faugheen 50, which has been there since the 1970s, and many clubs throughout the country cannot get insurance to hold any races this year. There are 12 or 13 different big events and many small ones. These are committed sport enthusiasts who run races safely but cannot get an insurance quote in the South. Their colleagues in Northern Ireland can get insurance but they cannot get it here in the South.

The Taoiseach promised me several weeks ago that the Minister would engage with us and get this sorted. Sadly all the events are being cancelled this year. Those people who want to give so much to their communities cannot do it.

See this speech in context