Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

It is not agreed. The Taoiseach is wilfully preventing a debate on this crucial issue. He refused to allow the Dáil to meet yesterday for that purpose. Now we have Labour Party and Fine Gael Members on a walk of shame, siúl an náire, filing through the lobbies to prevent a decent debate. When the Taoiseach talks about this issue he says the Government has no choice, that it has to be done. However, he admitted today, for the first time, that this matter has nothing to do with our Memorandum of Understanding with the troika. In contrast to what he said when he was elected Taoiseach, about debate, openness and involving the Opposition, this is an example of arrogance, of the Government simply refusing to allow a proper debate on this issue. The Sinn Féin Party will not stay here for the remainder of the Order of Business. My colleagues and I are leaving the Chamber.

See this speech in context