Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach did not answer the question I asked. Has the Government formally sought a deal that would involve extending the obligation over 30 years or is it seeking a write down of the money owed to the Irish Central Bank? It is technical, complex and sensitive, but boils down to that fundamental question.

The Opposition cannot be accused of raising expectations. The only people who have raised expectations are Government Ministers competing with each other on what this is about, what will happen before the end of March and linking it to the fiscal compact treaty. No one on this side of the House has raised expectations. Cabinet Ministers are speaking left, right and centre to whoever it will listen to them and are saying different things about a deal being imminent.

With the greatest of respect, I do not believe the Taoiseach needs me to tell anybody here to calm down. Perhaps he should tell his Cabinet members to speak with one voice if it is his view that negotiations should be allowed to run their course. He should say this to his Ministers.

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