Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

-----they must come back and negotiate with us because they cannot afford to let the euro, which is so important to them, collapse or to let the banking system in Europe collapse. If we say "No" or if we have the right to vote or consider the possibility of saying "No" to this economic madness and social injustice, we would be joined in calling for a proper debate on the matter by the people in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain who are being asked to accept the same austerity to protect the international system.

The Government maintains it has no alternative. Our alternative is simply to repudiate the gambling debts of these private, for-profit institutions. There is €100 billion in deposits in our banks. Why not put this into a State bank which does not carry the debts of these bankers and speculators? We could access finance on the international markets. Such a bank could invest in jobs, strategic infrastructure and industry in this country. It would not cost the people their future, their public services, their incomes and their livelihoods unlike this insane policy. Will the Government at least give the people the opportunity to debate the matter in a referendum? If they do not agree that is fine and the Government will win the debate, but if they agree such is their choice. The Minister should let the people decide, withdraw his amendment and allow the people to vote on their future.

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