-----was "a lot sweeter" than the Northern Bank robbery money.
TDs / Simon Harris
0
questions asked
Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them
566,209
words spoken in the chamber
566,201 as a minister, 8 as a TD
140
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Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
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Debates they spoke in most
Plus 2,685 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Wicklow 29 November 2024 to now
- office Taoiseach 29 November 2024 to 22 January 2025
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When you put it in context, it is "a lot sweeter" than something like the Northern Bank-----
It was legitimate, it was straightforward and it was handled properly. There was no comeback. I am being shouted down in this democratic Parliament by people who are engaging in-----
I am being shouted down. I know the Deputy is a bit sensitive this week. He must be the first justice spokesperson-----
-----to ever stand by the graveside of somebody who was involved in the murder of an Irish soldier and a recruit member of the Garda Síochána.
That is someone you call a patriot. Shame on you.
Well-----
I thank the Deputy. First, the Deputy referred to "ramming through". A lot of phrases are being used here. The Opposition has been spending more time talking about speaking rights than any other issue in this Dáil. Anybody watching in at home does not believe this is being rammed through. There have been dozens upon dozens upon dozens of hours of meetings in relation to this. Now it is time to make a decision and mov…
-----come in here and exercise their vote "Tá" or "Níl".
Sorry, the arrogance of the Deputy on this issue.
The Deputy says we have no mandate but these people have a mandate. The Deputy has just shouted across the floor of the Dáil, in case people at home missed it, "No mandate". Ceann Comhairle, everybody has a mandate.
As the Ceann Comhairle said in her letter yesterday, which I read-----
As the Ceann Comhairle said in her letter yesterday, it is up to the Members of this House, the democratically elected people of this Dáil, to decide the Standing Orders. It is absolutely in line with democracy after an election for Government and Opposition to put forward amendments and then have a vote on the floor of the Dáil. That is what we intend to do. We are going to do it next week. We are going to respect t…
The Deputy asked about missions.
I will do my best. I was asked a question as to what missions we could not participate in.
Let us check the transcript. I heard the Deputy ask clearly where-----
-----I would like to send people on missions. It is almost impossible. I am just trying to answer the question. I am allowed to answer. Am I allowed to speak? Is that okay? I know the Opposition does not want the backbenchers to speak but am I allowed to speak?
Thank you. I would really like to speak. I have given the Deputy four examples and nothing to do with 25 years ago. Last time I checked, 2022 was three years ago; 2017 was not long ago and nor were 2015 or 1999. Let the people at home know the following. This Government and I are in favour of military neutrality. What we are not in favour of is Vladimir Putin having a veto over where our peacekeepers can go. We will …
First, on the issue of speaking rights, my numbers may be off so correct me if they are, a Cheann Comhairle, but in a Leaders' Questions slot a speaker gets three minutes to ask the question, there are three minutes to respond, there is one minute to ask a follow-up question and then another minute to respond. We are having a row here for about eight minutes twice a week. That is eight minutes twice a week where we b…
-----the Opposition does not lose a minute.
To all these people who are at home-----
People at home watching this, who are busy with their actual lives and the real issues that matter to them, are wondering what this row is about in the Dáil.
What it is not about-----
What it is not about, a Cheann Comhairle-----
In my experience the Opposition does not seem to have any challenge speaking, including speaking over me. What this is actually about is not taking a minute of speaking time off Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, Labour, the Social Democrats, Independent Ireland or anybody I have left out but saying that, twice a week for eight minutes, we will allow people who got democratically elected with thousands of votes to stan…