Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I have tabled five of the questions included in this group and I hope I receive a reasonable opportunity. I agree with what Deputy Adams stated on the unsatisfactory nature of grouping all of these questions, which are on quite different topics.

The Taoiseach is spinning a great yarn about the international response to Ireland and our approach. The bottom line is that the response to Ireland is due to the fact that very severe budgetary measures were taken which hurt many people and which were politically unpalatable. The budget passed last year included a correction of approximately €6 billion. The international response to this has been-----

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