Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Last night, eurozone Finance Ministers indicated that Spain will be given flexibility in its budget deficit targets in 2012. This follows from the Spanish Prime Minister's rejection of the austerity and deficit targets set by the EU. The Taoiseach has an entirely different approach. At every opportunity, he and his partners in the Labour Party have kowtowed to their masters in the EU and assured them that they will not seek any write-off of the totally unfair, unsustainable and unacceptable debt that has been foisted on our people by the Government, and by the previous Government of which Deputy Martin was a member.

The second of the annual €3.1 billion promissory notes is due in a little over two weeks. Depending on which Minister is talking, people have a sense that the Government is, or is not, in negotiation at this time. There is very little clarity from the Government about this. What is clear is that the Government is committed to paying the full amount. If he is negotiating, it would seem the Taoiseach is negotiating the interest rate and the timeframe so the people will still have to pay for the greed of Anglo. This is not acceptable. Will the Taoiseach follow the lead of the Spanish Government, stand up for the interests of Irish citizens and refuse to pay this promissory note?

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