Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Did the Minister not find it depressing or shameful that on Monday evening he was on national television giving a press conference in his Department with Commissioner Rehn? Did he not find it depressing and humiliating for us as a country that the Opposition had to troop in yesterday to meet the very polite Commissioner Rehn? It was an indication that our sovereignty as a country has, in effect, been put in severe peril by the actions of the Fianna Fáil Government. Does the Minister understand that sentiment towards Ireland is a result of the fact that the markets lack confidence because everything the Minister has said has proved to be far worse than first anticipated?

Has the Minister or any of his officials had contact with Mr. Klaus Regling? Perhaps the Minister would like to outline the contacts. Could the Minister also tell us how many members of the staff of the Commission are currently in his Department on a temporary or daily basis overseeing Irish budgetary and financial matters?

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