Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Government is proposing to act unconstitutionally by not allowing for a proper debate or a vote to take place in this House on this agreement. Last week I challenged this not once but twice. Article 29.5.2° of the Constitution states:

The State shall not be bound by any international agreement involving a charge upon public funds unless the terms of the agreement shall have been approved by Dáil Éireann.

The Government is trying to force on the people an IMF-EU deal that will put not only this generation but future generations into economic bondage. No mistake should be made about it. No international agreement could have had a greater element of public funding commitment than this one. This is a matter that should not be addressed by statements but by a full debate and vote in this House.

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