Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is trying to muddy the waters here by talking about abolishing rates in 1977 which was part of the Fianna Fáil manifesto. I agree it was part of the manifesto and that it happened but it should not have happened. It was the wrong decision. However, I remind the Minister that as part of the Fine Gael manifesto in 1977 - an actual official document - Fine Gael proposed the abolition of rates not over one year but over two years. That is the only difference.