Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

We will have to wait until next Monday and Tuesday to hear what is proposed, when we have the double act of the two Ministers representing the Tory parties of this Government.

As Head of State, as an Irish person, as a citizen, as a human being, the Taoiseach surely does not believe this is a good scenario. It has been demeaning for our parliamentary system and for citizens. Throughout this crisis the German and French Governments have taken upon themselves the role of European leaders and the Taoiseach has acquiesced in this de facto European government. They told the Greek Government not to hold a referendum. They seem to have played a role in the removal of the Italian Government led by Silvio Berlusconi. They are apparently in the process of pushing through agreement on increased centralisation of economic decision making.

I am seeking to make sense of all of this. Does the Taoiseach believe that allowing the leaders of France and Germany to dictate the budgetary process of this State is progress?

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