Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I would not confuse diplomatic acceptance that Ireland is where it is and this is nothing more than a grumbling acceptance from our European partners. The Minister and Fianna Fáil are trying to shift the blame to our European and eurozone partners. The unilateral action on the night of the guarantee by the two Brians and then informing our European partners afterwards caused consternation in many different parts of Europe. That is the diplomatic and historic record of the brave overnight move on the guarantee two years ago.

When does denial turn into delusion? This is the question I ask myself all the time about this Government. Fianna Fáil talks up a storm. This is an elemental snowstorm in which we have lost our compass and have no idea how to get out of it. The Government has been in such a storm for nearly three years but still has no idea how to get the country out of this disastrous mess with our dignity, independence and sovereignty intact. Following the US chain store, Toys 'R' Us, Fianna Fáil's new slogan for the country should be Banks 'R' Us. The unlimited blanket guarantee made the banks' debt-----

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