Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

How are we to achieve that, given that interest rates, nearly six months on from the start of the negotiations of the bailout, are even higher than then?

I wish the Taoiseach well and I hope he does well because it is not a party-political matter. The country needs him to do well and sort this problem out. The flaw in his approach is in the first two pages of his statement and I can summarise it in his words. The Taoiseach stated, "I am determined to do what is necessary to return Ireland to what it once was - a constructive and well-regarded member state of the Union, with good relations with partners, large and small." That should not be his ambition when he goes out to these European Council meetings. It is not to appease the French or the Germans so that they see us as good neighbours-----

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