Before proceeding to Private Members' business, I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, who wishes to make a statement to the House.
Personal Explanation by Minister of State
During a Private Members' debate on 5 October 2011, I stated that former Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae voted for the sugar beet factories to be closed. It has since been brought to my attention that the former Deputy did not speak to or vote on the motion.
However, the former Deputy supported the Fianna Fáil Government that voted in the Dáil to introduce austerity measures and brought the country to economic meltdown.
The Minister of State is apologising on the one hand and criticising on the other.
He also supported former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, the cause of the country's economic meltdown. As former Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae never voted against Bertie Ahern becoming Taoiseach, I also blame him for the economic downturn and for introducing austerity measures.
The Minister of State should look in the mirror.
Is the former Deputy the reason the Government is making cuts?
The Minister of State can do better than that.