Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

When I questioned the Taoiseach about the claims of a Labour Party Minister in a Fine Gael Government that citizens on the dole are making a lifestyle choice, he seemed to suggest he had no choice other than what is Government is doing. He repeated that suggestion a minute ago. He does have choices, however. Is féidir leis an Taoiseach seasamh a dhéanamh, is féidir leis gealltanais an Rialtais a choinneáil agus is féidir leis fís a thaispeáint. Sinn Féin wishes him well at the European emergency summit but he cannot go there as an observer or a spectator. He can go there to do what he proposed in his five point plan. An gcuimhin leis an Taoiseach sin? Lest he forget, when cuts are needed they start at the top. When accountability is needed it starts at the top. When sacrifice is needed it starts at the top. It does not start with the blind, the carers or the poor. Today, however, because of the Taoiseach's choice the poor include people who are economically vulnerable. Does he agree the people we represent cannot afford to pay our European partners the outrageous sum of €10 billion in interest? Will he tell them that tomorrow? Will he bring his five point plan with him and stick to it by making the right choices on behalf of the people we represent?

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