Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We were involved in negotiating the programme for Government and I did it at a time when the country faced a significant threat from Brexit. We managed to facilitate a government, and no one said we should not have the rights of an Opposition in terms of tabling questions, even though we had negotiating influence on the budgets and so on. That happened because I believe governments should be formed after a general election. That is my motivation. Deputy O’Callaghan did not believe it. Deputy Bacik did not believe it. I do. I take it as a serious responsibility.

The only group that came forward and that wanted to facilitate a majority in this House was the Regional Independent Group. What this is all about-----

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