Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

I am amazed that the proposal refers to a Minister or Minister of State when the Taoiseach clearly gave the impression that he would be prepared to come in here to answer questions for 40 minutes. Perhaps that is the case. Perhaps i am wrong that it should have stated "Taoiseach" as the Taoiseach is a Minister of the Government in any case. It is absolutely incumbent on him that he comes in here to explain the import of what was agreed last week in Brussels. Nobody knows the extent or implications for our people of the institutionalisation of austerity or whether the Government proposes that the people be given a say by referendum on this. We need the Taoiseach here to answer those questions urgently this day.

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