Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I assure the Taoiseach at the outset that I am very calm, just in case he is concerned. Last evening, Commissioner Rehn told the Taoiseach bluntly, despite all the Government's leaks and spin, that Ireland must pay the €3.1 billion promissory note in two weeks. He arrogantly claimed that respecting commitments and obligations is a key tradition under EU law. Since when? This law was never applied to France or Germany which, year after year, regularly breached their Stability and Growth Pact rules. French and German leaders stand up for themselves and their people, just as the Spanish Prime Minister did.

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