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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

Strokestown eviction row

Summary

The exchange became a prolonged argument over whether the Taoiseach had condemned the bank enforcers' behaviour and whether Deputy Doherty had condemned violence. The Taoiseach condemned violence and defended the court process, while the Deputy insisted the family had been treated brutally and that unregulated security operatives should not be involved.

I did in my first contribution.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Deputy did not condemn-----

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We have already made it clear that we do not condone violence-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Taoiseach to continue, without interruption, please.

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-----but the Taoiseach continues to-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Please, Deputy.

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The Taoiseach has not said one word about the thuggish behaviour.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Will the the Deputy, please, restrain himself?

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That is the problem. The Taoiseach stands behind the banks and their enforcers. We have already said we do not condone violence.

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Does the Deputy condemn it?

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy Pearse Doherty and I will not stand at the one time.

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The Taoiseach has refused to condemn the thuggish behaviour of the bank enforcers on Tuesday. That is the reality and the signal he sends to people.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy might not like the answer, but-----

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I condemn violence and thuggish behaviour by anyone under any circumstance. Let there be no doubt about that, but in two contributions - in fact, now in three contributions - Deputy Pearse Doherty has dismissed the fact that tax evasion is a serious offence.

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The Taoiseach is not listening.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Deputy has criticised the Garda. He has criticised the High Court for making the order, having heard the case.

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Stop the spin and start listening.

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The Taoiseach is not listening.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Taoiseach is in injury time.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Deputy Pearse Doherty has said nothing about the thugs who climbed on the back of a cattle truck - 20 of them - who broke into property, injured three people and killed a dog-----

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Were the bank enforcers thugs? The Taoiseach is happy to call one set of people thugs.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I am moving on immediately to Deputy Brendan Howlin.

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Doublespeak from the Taoiseach.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Please, Deputy.

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It is a disgrace that the Government is doing what landlords in the past were allowed to do.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

If this continues, I will have no choice but to-----

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It is disgraceful.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

When it comes to Sinn Féin and the rule of law and public order and condemning violence, it does not take very long for your balaclava to slip.

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