Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I take it he means that the financial stability of the State, therefore, is restored. This brings me to my final question. If this relief on the €3.1 billion and on further bank debt is to restore the financial stability of the State, we have been rightly led to believe that the austerity package which the Government has imposed on the country and on the people of the country, is due to the fact that the banks have behaved in such an irresponsible manner and incurred such debt. Now that we are getting relief from the bank debt, can the Tánaiste point to some tangible relief from austerity to show the people as a result of the achievement this week?

See this speech in context