Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

Last month's meeting of the European Council focused on finding solutions to the current economic crisis. Once again, the Council came up very short.

Is mór an trua nár thapaigh an Chomhairle Eorpach an deis. Is am cinniúnach dúinn agus don Aontas é seo. Tá geilleagar na hÉireann agus an geilleagar domhanda i gcruachás. Tá dúshlán mór romhainn. An mí seo caite, measaim go raibh deis ag an Chomhairle Eorpach déileáil leis an cheist seo. Is trua nár deineadh é sin. Tá súil agam go ndéanfar i bhfad níos mó amach anseo.

Not only were the solutions arrived at by the European Council inadequate, they failed to recognise that policies such as deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation — which have been pursued fanatically at member state and EU level — are at the heart of the current global recession. If we are to come to grips with this crisis, these policies must be reversed.

Má táimid chun eacnamaíocht an tír beag seo, atá ar imeall na hEorpa, a tharrtháil, caithfimid féachaint ar cúiseanna na fadhbanna sin, atá luaite agam cheana. Tharla caimiléireacht éaguimsithe de thairbhe teip iomlán na margaí aigeadais. Níor dheineamar na margaí a rialú, nó a riaradh, i gceart. Chuidigh sé sin leis an meon "rip-off" a bhí i measc an lucht gnó agus na bainc, ní hamháin sa tír seo ach ar fud an domhain freisin. Measaim nár dhein cruinniú an Chomhairle Eorpach aon rud chun roinnt de na fadhbanna sin a réiteach.

The absolute failure to properly regulate the financial markets was always a road to rip off and corruption. Obsessive deregulation and privatisation of public services has, and will, if left unchallenged, continue to prevent sustainable economic growth which will deliver a fair society.

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