Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

This is a dark day for Ireland by any measure. Whatever the Taoiseach's likes and dislikes about what is happening, it is a dismal day when we must hand over €1.2 billion. My concern is with regard to the Government response to legitimate criticism on what it is doing today which is, after all, implementing the policies of the previous Government. The scare tactics used in response to the criticism in the past week have not contributed constructively to the debate. The Tánaiste spoke of not being able to pay gardaí, nurses or teachers. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport spoke of a financial time bomb going off in Dublin. Let us have a legitimate argument about this.

I understand the Taoiseach's insistence and argument that his priority is to return to the bond markets as early as possible and say goodbye to the troika. This is a legitimate aim. However I wish to point out something to him and ask him whether he has considered it.

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