Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I am glad to get that little bit of information, but the Taoiseach is handing over more authority from the Government to the European Court of Justice. This is clear from the draft of the treaty that I read.

The Taoiseach did not tell me whether he was for the sanctions. I would like clarity on that matter. It is obvious that the Taoiseach is for the treaty. He has been clear on that issue at least. I will ask him again. Given the ongoing surrender of significant control of Irish fiscal and budgetary matters to officials and unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats, is it not time to take a step back, review the situation, reflect on it and take a different approach, one that is about producing measures to stabilise the euro through investment in jobs and negotiating a write down of toxic banking debt on behalf of indebted citizens, including our own?

If the Government insists on proceeding with this austerity budget, a decision with which I am disappointed, it should at least go to the people. Do not dance on the head of a pin concerning the Attorney General. The Government should accept the democratic imperative that, in a republic, the citizens must have their say, particularly when the Government is giving away so much of what remains of the sovereignty, fiscal power and other authority that is vested by Irish citizens in the Oireachtas.

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