Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

It was a disastrous strategy, but we are stuck with it now. It has already cost the taxpayers and people dearly. We need the strategic investment bank and we are determined to have it. Her attitude to Europe is correct. I re-read as part of a debate earlier the speeches of the founding fathers of the European Community. We have gone a long way from that. We need to have leadership in Europe that offers real solidarity to bring us out of the hole we are in.

I served long with Deputy Higgins on the administrative council of the Labour Party. I know his rhetoric very well.

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