Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I welcome today's meeting between the Minister for Finance and the head of the ECB. It is always gratifying to know that sometimes the Taoiseach listens to Sinn Féin. Although we have been waiting too long, unfortunately, for this meeting to have taken place, if the Taoiseach wishes to continue to take good advice, I suggest that what Deputy Noonan tells the head of the ECB is crucial. He should tell him that this State cannot afford the promissory note put in place by Fianna Fáil, no more than we can afford to pay the €1.25 billion which the Taoiseach will pay tomorrow to unguaranteed, unsecured bondholders. This amount is more than all the additional taxes that his Government inflicted on citizens. It is more than the household charge, the increase in VAT and the increases in motor taxation. We punish our people and tomorrow we give €1.25 billion to these unguaranteed, anonymous, unsecured bondholders. It is also remarkable to recollect that before the election, the Labour Party's slogans referred to Labour's way or Frankfurt's way. The Minister has now done a complete U-turn given that he told us that not another red cent will be paid to these persons.

Pioc suas an fón, seas suas agus labhair le Alan Dukes agus abair leis nach mbeidh tú ag tabhairt an airgid seo don banc seo. I ask the Taoiseach to stand up for Ireland's interest, to pick up the phone and tell Mike Aynsley or Alan Dukes that, sin é, this is it, and he will not pay them this money.

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