Mattie McGrath demands pre- and post-Davos briefings
Deputy Mattie McGrath spoke in the Dáil on 18 Jan 2023, pressing the Taoiseach for pre- and post-meeting briefings on the European Council and the World Economic Forum in Davos. He called for transparency about who is attending, the agenda, and any outcomes affecting parts of Ireland.
Request for pre- and post-meeting briefings
He asked the Taoiseach for formal pre-European Council and post-European Council meetings, and for pre- and post-WEF (Davos) statements. He said there is precedent for such briefings and pressed for them ahead of any travel or attendance.
Concerns about attendees and influence
The deputy referenced comments by "Mr Swab" that "they have infiltrated many cabinets around the world" and questioned who is travelling to Davos, noting that the minister and other deputies may be attending. He asked for clarity on how many are going and who the "hangers on" are.
Demand for agenda and outcome transparency
He demanded to know the agenda for the Taoiseach's Davos visit and to be informed on return about any actions or decisions, including what parts of Ireland might have been affected or "sold off." He told the House he expects a response and a report back.
Personal stance and tone of criticism
The speaker said he had no interest in attending Davos and dismissed a flippant remark that the Taoiseach was "only going for a day and a half," while emphasising the need for clear invitations and government explanations about international engagements.
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There is no question or answer regarding Minister O'Donoghue, but I want to ask the Taoiseach, can we have pre-european council meetings and post-european council meetings, when we are going to have a pre-visit to Davos, you flippantly said you are only going for a day and a half, you would like to be there for a week, quite frankly I do not care how long you stayed there, but when you have Mr Swab saying that they have infiltrated or infiltrated many cabinets around the world, I know Deputy McGrath is going, or Minister McGrath, I don't know how many more are going and how many hangers are on, and what the hell is going on over there, and why are you not in response to this House, and tell us what the agenda is, and inform us when you come back, what other bit of Ireland, the area you have sold off, are you proudly giving away to these mighty people, who they think they are, so I want to have pre-councils, pre-WEF statements, and post-WEF statements, we have a precedent, and European council, what's happening for this, maybe you might go yourself, Matthew, I have no interest in going, I have no interest in going, Deputy Nocturne, Deputy Nocturne, there might be even a collection made for that flight, can't call it, I have no interest in this, I standinated by Sarah John, and I remark upon you about an invitation, and that일 is an invitation to be able to don't have government's own- I employ that language can make it clear, it is not so an invitation to help, and that is this occasional opportunityよ, to have people who need to have decided years ago, and they really natürlich very important when they've attended to the conversation, they take them withั city at the initial place and they can individuals who want to see it,
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