David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I second the amendment to the Order of Business tabled by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. He mentioned the memorandum of understanding and whether the household charge was in it. I was one of those who examined the memorandum and saw no reference to the household charge. Regardless of that, there was reference in the memorandum to the minimum wage, the cut to which was reversed. There was also a reference to increases in income tax, yet the Government renegotiated that. It is irrelevant whether the household charge was in the document.

The previous speaker on the Government side shows the frustration and desperation that is coming through from the Government. It is evident in the fact it is blaming broadcasters, the media and politicians for the fact it made a complete shambles of the tax.