Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Tá cuig cheist agam agus ba mhaith liom go leor ama. The Taoiseach stated there were no plans to bring forward a new programme for Government. This is very disappointing. Any review of his term so far would show that it has been marked by the number of times he has departed from the programme for Government. The Taoiseach promised to renegotiate the EU-IMF deal and instead he has implemented it. He promised no more blank cheques to banks but a fortnight ago he gave €700 million to unguaranteed bondholders.

He promised to prioritise job creation in what he described as a jobs budget, yet unemployment today is higher than when he came into power. Why is the Government failing to implement the programme for Government?

The Taoiseach said this would be an open Government, that there would be change at the top and an end to cronyism. Yet, a review of Government appointments shows 20 people with affiliations to Fine Gael and the Labour Party have been appointed since it took office. Half of Departments are still not recruiting board members by public advertisements and five of the six judges recently appointed by the Government have political affiliations to Fine Gael or the Labour Party.

Sinn Féin launched its pre-budget submission today. I sent a copy to the Office of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance. I urge the Taoiseach to consider the proposals. They may provide a better guide on how to get out of the economic recession. When the Taoiseach has read them I ask him to consider reviewing his announcement that he will not introduce a new programme for Government and do just that.

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