Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Today, the Taoiseach tells us it was all because of an international banking crisis. Yes, there was such a crisis but the problem with the Irish banking system and economy is that it has suffered a double whammy, of which the Taoiseach is the second. The Irish economy and banking system is not only affected by an international crisis which has to be addressed but it is also in a unique crisis because of the policies pursued by his Government working hand-in-glove with property developers and bankers which created the property bubble and over-priced houses. The result is that working families in this country are struggling with properties that are valued at less than their mortgages, which in turn have increased significantly. The Taoiseach is now presenting them with a massive bill of €40 billion which they will have to pay through their taxes. It is time that he acknowledged responsibility and said "sorry" to the people of Ireland.

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