Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

-----that we behave dishonourably but we should not go to the tables of Europe week after week to be applauded for crucifying the Irish people at the behest of the people in Europe. That is not where the interests of the Irish people lie. The interests of the Irish people lie in the Taoiseach, Deputy Kenny, and the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, coming back and saying we have respect in Europe. They are worried that we will not pay back the bond holders and the bankers and even the threat of that would get us a better deal and a certain amount of respect. I see no evidence in what the Taoseach's says that they take a blind bit of notice of what Ireland says at the tables in Europe or in the eurozone. We may be one of equals among the 17 or the 27 but we are in danger of becoming a pushover. That is not where we should be and that is a bad negotiating position to be in.

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