Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is very important that people understand this, and they ought to understand it if they are reluctant to understand it. A national concerted effort is needed to get the country out of the hole and to drain the swamp so normal economic activity can start again. Yes, it is approximately €60 billion for the euro system. As regards the promissory note of €27 billion that was recently refinanced by a series of 40 year bonds, that was a sham. There was no negotiation. That had to happen. There was no chance that Ireland ever could have borne an 11 year profile of €28 billion. It was not even a question of asking for it; we were given it.