Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

While I welcome this increase, it does not go far enough if you take into account the last three or four years of inflation and the cost of properties. Let us take as an example a cottage that somebody has left to a family member. Three or four years ago, before costs increased as a result of inflation, you could not give away a cottage for €25,000 or €30,000.

Now they are all making €100,000 or more and they are derelict. Did the Deputies on the other side of the House there ever hear of tradition? Did they ever hear that someone traditionally is a farmer and it is handed on? The next time they have a bite to eat and they look to see where it comes from, it might be from the same traditional farm they are actually cutting up today. It is not for sale because it is a tradition people are keeping on for generations and generations to keep them fed. That is what a tradition is. It is not wealthy people. It is a tradition and it is something that is steeped in my blood and that of a lot of other people here. Everyone looks at something like a farm or something that is worth something, as a sign people are well off. Easily known the Deputies were never brought up on a farm or they would know what well off is. You have to go out and do all the work for a pittance and get no reward. However, when something is on the shelf in a shop for them, they think it is great. They should look at a tradition of people who go out working 365 days of the year, whether they get paid for it or not, just to keep them in the place they are now.

See this speech in context