Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The banks are against our proposals too. Instead of calling it a bank bailout or builders' bailout the Labour Party would be better off taking part in a rational and constructive debate and to indicate what represents a good measure and what represents a bad measure. This is not the case, they simply instinctively oppose everything. It is not serving the country well. It may serve the Labour Party well for the local and European elections but in future it will be a disservice to the Labour Party and the country.

See this speech in context