Mattie McGrath backs Sinn Fein proposal, criticises business committee
Mattie McGrath spoke on 20 Oct 2020, saying he agreed with a Sinn Fein proposal and lamented time being wasted on votes. He criticised the business committee for not listening weekly and said he would not dictate or pre-empt its decisions.
Agreement with Sinn Fein proposal
Mattie McGrath described the proposal as simple and stated his agreement with the proposal for Sinn Fein. He said it was a pity to waste time voting when many members wanted to get in and propose legislation.
Criticism of the business committee
He accused the business committee of not listening every week and warned against a recurring "steamroll job". McGrath emphasised he was being respectful to the committee but frustrated by its handling of business.
Remarks about Count Corlea and tone
McGrath made jocular remarks about Count Corlea's chairing of the committee, saying "I jest" and offering an apology for any offence. He acknowledged the deputy's activity on the business committee and sought to moderate the tone of his comments.
Procedural stance and prerogative
Addressing Deputy Peter and other members, McGrath said he would not dictate to the business committee or pre-empt its decisions. He called his stance reasonable and noted that if others did not accept it, "that's your prerogative."
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It's a simple proposal, I agree with the proposal for Sinn Fein, and it's a pity to waste time voting here, there are many members who want to get in and promise legislation, but you don't listen to us on the business committee any week, so every week now you don't listen to the steamroll job To be fair to you, you ran that committee for a long time Did I? No, I never I jest, I jest, I jest That's a discord to the Count Corlea, who is an excellent chair of that committee at all times I jest, I apologise You have too much jest No offence, Count Corlea, I didn't mean it I live with it, Thaith The deputy's been, the deputy's been very active on the business committee for a long time now Deputy Peter, look past me I said the business committee's due to me, I'm being respectful to the business committee, I'm not going to dictate to the business committee, I'm not going to preempt what the business committee may do, that is a reasonable position, if you don't accept that, that's your prerogative
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