Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

We are being asked to address in statements the issues before us over a 95 minute period with a limited opportunity for questions following and no opportunity at all to record where Members stand on them. We are only having clarity because we have had the Taoiseach and Ministers across all portfolios trundled out over the past week and more in an exercise of denial clearly to deceive the people and to mislead this House, as was the case over the past two days in responses regarding this matter raised by a range of Opposition voices. What is being proposed is not a bailout for the Irish people. That is not what is being looked at by the IMF, the ECB and the European Commission. It will have no consequence in terms of reliefs for social welfare, health spending or education needs. What this is all about is supporting the Government in its bailout of the banks and the ECB looms behind them as one of the critical investors.

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