Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I wish the Taoiseach and his Cabinet colleagues well. It is time they put on the green jersey and stood up for Ireland's rightful place in Europe. This country has been plundered. The European Central Bank and other institutions have failed us both in Ireland and in the European context and Irish people are paying the price with their blood. We are in a third world war in which no bullets are being fired. We must not allow our nation to be sabotaged for one hour longer. I encourage the Taoiseach to stand up and represent our country and people as an equal. He must demand rightful recognition of our position.

As other speakers noted, we are repaying with interest money that was given out willy-nilly. I accept the Government secured a reduction in the interest rate on our loans but we continue to be crucified. The German Parliament learned before the Oireachtas about Irish budgetary proposals. Notwithstanding that Members will learn next week whether the VAT rate will increase by 2% and so forth, to have budgetary matters discussed in the Bundestag before the Oireachtas has sight of them constitutes shameful interference in the affairs of a sovereign country. While one could argue that Ireland has lost its sovereignty, we still have our dignity. Ireland has vision and a passion to recover but will be unable to do while we remain under the cosh of bullies in Europe.

President Van Rompuy is trying to grasp the nettle but he will be like Humpty Dumpty sitting on the wall if the entire edifice collapses, which is the prospect we face. The European project is being talked down, undermined and damaged daily. Perhaps it was flawed from the outset. It served us well for a time and needs to be pulled together by a visionary leader. If Ireland's leaders do not show vision in the forthcoming talks, they will be throwing in the towel. We must speak up, ensure others listen and demand our rightful place.

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