Brendan Ryan (Labour)

It is an important topic. I am not sure the Fine Gael amendment would make much difference to the de facto position and my party would not support it. This is well known and it did not take the undoubted profound analytical skills of Senator Mansergh to divine it — we kind of knew it. However, I am impressed by Fianna Fáil's recognition that the Labour Party and Fine Gael have principles which are not up for negotiation so as to enjoy the convenience of being in Government.