Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Seachas a bheith ag seasamh leis an diktat ón Bhruiséil, tá dualgas ar an Taoiseach seasamh lenár bpobal.

The Taoiseach will not do this. He acquiesces at every turn and expects Irish citizens to pay for his folly. He is very clear about this, and this is evident from stealth taxes, cuts, VAT increases, septic tank charges and the household charge. He insists that the Irish must pay for the greed of bankers and developers, irrespective of the social consequences. The €3.1 billion the Taoiseach will pay at the end of this month is the equivalent of 19 years' worth of household charges. It could create jobs and stop young people from emigrating. It works out at approximately €688 for every man, woman and child in the State this year. We cannot afford it. Why does the Taoiseach not start a real negotiation? If he does not ask, he will not receive. He should tell the ECB now that he will not and cannot pay the €3.1 billion.

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