Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I am also pleased to be able to make a brief contribution. Having listened to the Taoiseach's contribution, I am also disappointed because it is the same old mantra and the same old spin that is always being put on it. All of these summits have been built up to be something, but they have never lived up to expectations. This is a disappointing aspect for Ireland because as the growth rates of all European Union countries literally are slipping back by the day, these targets will not be met. Consequently, being in a straitjacket of fiscal rectitude is not working. Anyone with any understanding of running a business will attest to the fact that concentrating exclusively on cuts without providing a stimulus or for reinvestment does not work.

Last week the Tánaiste asked Members to put on the green jersey. However, my response is to ask him where is his green jersey. What has happened to his green jersey since he moved to the Government side of the House? He has lost his voice, his courage and certainly his stamina for a fight. He was all action and was going to burn the bondholders. It was going to be his way or Frankfurt's way, but what happened? We have been getting a severe dose of Frankfurt's way and nothing else since. He has lost his stamina completely. Where are his Labour Party colleagues? I do not see any of them present in the Chamber and have seen few of them during debates other than this one. I ask the Tánaiste to wear the green jersey and bring one for both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. He should tell them to put them on and stand up for Ireland because we have rights as a constituent member of the European Union. Ireland has passed all the treaties in the past, although it was necessary to go back a second time to pass some of them. However, it will be hard to have a treaty passed again by the people because they have had a dose of what they do not like. They have been given a dose of the big minders, with Ireland being given a pat on the back and told it is doing great stuff and that the Government is meeting targets. However, this is all a lie and untrue.

I was pleased to have the opportunity last week to meet the troika with my colleagues from the Technical Group. I compliment Deputy Catherine Murphy on securing such a meeting. We told its representatives some home truths and while I consider them to be genuine people, they have been fooled by both the Government and its predecessor into foolishly believing the Government has a mandate to introduce the cuts that are wiping out schools, education, hospital and services of all kinds, as well as dumping people on the dole with no hope and killing off business initiatives. Moreover, the Government is telling the troika, certainly not in my name or those who voted for it, that it has a mandate to do this. The Tánaiste is aware that the Government has a mandate to do no such thing. He is aware that he received a mandate for his voice while in opposition and promises to burn the bondholders, get rid of the last Government and change everything. However, what did people get? The Administration took the same attitude hook, line and sinker, which is an absolute disgrace. Moreover, it is an even bigger disgrace for the Tánaiste to tell people in Europe that he has a mandate to do this. In common with the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and all other Members on the other side of the House, he should be ashamed of himself. This is a complete con job and a trick of the loop. While the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, may have called Members of the Technical Group a pick and mix and so on, it is the Government Members who are the pick and mix. They will be a disgrace and traitors to the country.

See this speech in context