Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The reason none of the amendments is being moved is that the Fianna Fáil Party Members have left the House, because the House just conscripted a man onto a committee from which he tried to resign. I am afraid it is the atmosphere of Leinster House these days which is really worrying. I say that as a person who supports this Minister in his reform, because it is absolutely essential. We have been through it so many times and we all have to reform given the condition in which the country finds itself. There is not much reform around the Houses these days.

Members can be fired off a committee if the Taoiseach does not like them. Deputy Peter Mathews knew more about finance than anyone else on the finance committee. He also spoke more about finance than all the other members of the finance committee.