Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

The Taoiseach who has just made a rousing rallying cry on the economy will no doubt be aware of the IMF report issued last night. It is devastating in its findings, not just with regard to the global economy but also and more particularly in respect of Europe. The chief economist of the IMF has stated it is time for Europe to get its act together. These are pretty strong words from an international body of this nature. When the US Treasury Secretary, Mr. Timothy Geithner, addressed a meeting in Poland last weekend at which the Minister for Finance was in attendance, he delivered a similar message. The message from outside is that Europe is an economic swamp, that it is sinking and that it has no leadership.

Is the Taoiseach happy with the solution being offered in each European crisis, namely, that Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy get together for a meeting? They met in June, July and August and achieved nothing. They were in contact by telephone last week and achieved absolutely nothing. Who gave them the authority to pose as the voices of Europe, to meet in high profile situations and to give the appearance - deliberately so - that they have solved the European problem? Regardless of whether we like it and partly because the economy has been mismanaged, Ireland is a pivotal player in the recovery of Europe.

See this speech in context