Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste said the people have spoken. Of course we know that, but he still refuses to have a debate on the matter here. How can the Government and every party in this House be so detached and out of touch? They talked about durable. We hear a phony Opposition talk about different issues letting on to be different. Everyone is on the one page. We cannot have a debate on immigration because everyone is the same. Anybody with another narrative is put down. The Government got its answer from the people. They are wiser than what the Government thought. The Government deliberately misled them. It would not give the Attorney General's advice and published it after the event. Imagine that. Imagine trying to put that to the people, that this advice was kept secret. However the advice did come out. The Government deliberately got a wording for the amendment on care that would damage carers and would not give any kind of commitment. The word "strive" was deliberately used to ensure that funding would not have to be provided and that the Government would not have responsibility. The Taoiseach made other damning remarks about carers and who should be caring. The Government deliberately put that wording in. The Tánaiste talks about respecting the Constitution, the Oireachtas and the people. The Government is not respecting the people and the people have completely lost respect for the Government. The sooner the Government realises this and tries to get back in touch with the people by calling an election, the better. The Government has lost its way and is confused. The deliberate misleading and deception are disgraceful and not acceptable.

See this speech in context