Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I agreed to this debate yesterday because of the request made by Members that we should have a pre-Council discussion here, and on the basis that this is a meeting of the euro zone and it is important. I thank all of the Members who contributed to it.

Deputy Martin made two comments relevant to what is on the agenda for tomorrow: that something should be done about bank debt and that there will be an interest rate reduction. Those were the two essential points of relevance for tomorrow's meeting that came from the leader of Fianna Fáil, and he talked about all the other extraneous issues that are irrelevant to what is on the agenda for tomorrow.

Deputy Adams, in fairness, has not deviated from what he articulated previously. I disagree with it, but he put it on the record. Deputy Donnelly made a, from his point of view, valid suggestion, that we should have security and certainty, for which I thank him.

Deputy Ross left after delivering his message about complacency. We recognise the challenges that the country faces. We are financed up until the end of 2013. There are options being discussed now, for instance, in regard to Spain, as to what other facilities might be made available. I want to see, if anything is being given of benefit in respect of the difficulty arising from Greece, that the same applies to this country. In the absence of Deputy Ross, I can tell him that the Dáil will not sit here on Monday but he will have an opportunity to go to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and give his views.

Deputy Joan Collins spoke about austerity not working and increasing the tax base. She stated that what we need is more work and I agree with that. We need a new approach. She rejects the IMF deal and stated that the county must default and that we should leave the euro. Does she have any idea-----

See this speech in context