Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I am, however, against the type of European Union which has the Taoiseach handing over authority to super-states or would have German and French presidents and leaders running our affairs. I am also against austerity.

Sinn Féin has put forward progressive policies and is asking the Taoiseach to reconsider his support for the proposed treaty. What is very clear - no one should miss this point - is that the Taoiseach was not cajoled, fooled, tricked or beaten into accepting the treaty. He favours it as much as any German or French leader favours it. Why does he not reconsider his support for the treaty and argue instead for investment in jobs and growth? Why does he not ask for a debt restructuring agreement? This issue is essentially about economic sovereignty which the Taoiseach is giving away. I have no doubt he will come to the House seeking support for a treaty which will do the very opposite of achieving the objective he has outlined and instead of retrieving Ireland's economic sovereignty, he will give it away. Why does he not argue for investment in jobs and growth and a debt restructuring agreement?

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