Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The extension of the confidence and supply arrangement points to the difference between the approach of Deputy Doherty's party to politics and the approach taken by my party and the main Opposition party, which recognise that the State is vulnerable right now. We do not know what decisions will be made in Westminster in the coming weeks, but we have recognised that the challenge we may face as a Parliament and as a country in the first quarter of next year and throughout 2019 will require all of us to work together. To its credit, Fianna Fáil has recognised that. It has said that in 2019, in the midst of Brexit preparations, Ireland does not need a general election. I am glad to say that because of responsible politics from the two biggest political parties in the State the kind of political uncertainty and carnage that is happening in Westminster right now is not going to replicated here. This does not mean that Fianna Fáil will not be in opposition putting us under pressure on housing, health reform and a whole range of other issues-----

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