Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

As I stressed at the beginning of the debate, the discussion on the Finance Bill takes place in unprecedented circumstances. The Government finds itself in a minority position and the House finds itself in a position where it must face its national responsibilities without recourse to cheap and easy rhetoric. The House must decide what is in the best interests of the country in terms of the Finance Bill. The enactment of this legislation is vital to our international credibility and this has been made clear by the European Commission and in all of the international commentary about which there has been comment during the debate.

There has been much attention in media reports regarding the possibility of reduced interest charges being agreed for the EU loan assistance to Ireland. Many Deputies have raised this issue, including Deputy Rabbitte near the conclusion of the debate. I assure the House that I have been as vigorous on this subject in practice as the Members of the Opposition have been in talk. I will attend the relevant European meetings in February irrespective of the fact that a general election is taking place to ensure that Ireland's vital interests are fully protected in this matter.

See this speech in context