Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Cuirfidh mé ceist ar an Taoiseach, an cheist chéanna a chuir sé ar Mr. Bertie Ahern: is it not time for the truth to be told about the scale of the economic crisis? This is exactly the same question he put to his predecessor last October. I asked the Taoiseach this today because of the contradictory statements made by his Ministers. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said there will be a need for a second bailout but the Taoiseach contradicted that. Last week, the Taoiseach repeated the mantra that the State will repay the debt it owes to the EU and IMF, which now amounts to almost €200 billion. What of our debt to carers and to children with special needs and their parents? What of our debt to 300,000 low-paid workers? What of our debt to senior citizens who need long-term residential care?

This morning, I asked the Taoiseach to equality-proof Government decisions. It is surely the mark of a civilised society to consider the social consequences of Government decisions. The Taoiseach rebuked me and stated I must be holding too many clinics. The truth is that the debt is unsustainable. The truth is that the Members on these benches will survive that, but others will not.

Last week, the Taoiseach refused to reinstate the fair deal scheme. The Government seems intent on impoverishing low-paid workers, who could not afford a personal agenda.

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