Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

The clear message is that austerity is not working. In 2008, the Exchequer deficit was €12.78 billion; in 2011, €24.9 billion. After five austerity budgets and €24 billion in cuts, along with a whole host of new charges such as the household tax, the septic tank tax, property tax, water charges, massive cuts to education and other social guarantees, particularity the outrageous cut of some 500,000 hours of home help for people in the community, it is clear austerity is not working.

In the past 12 months the Labour Party and Fine Gael have given €21 billion to the banks. Where is the job stimulus project and the Government's proposal and funding for getting people off the dole and regenerating the economy? Sinn Féin is very clear about this. We believe the deficit must be reduced and put forward propositions to do this which were socially equitable compared to what is happening now. Waste must be cut. We part company from the Government and Fianna Fáil - as they are the parties of cosy consensus - in the idea that we can cut our way out of recession. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. The Government has not brought forward any jobs stimulus project that is clearly funded. Numerous constructed and costed propositions have been ignored by the Government.

Does the Taoiseach agree that austerity is the problem rather than the answer? Will he look into his soul and appreciate that the only safe and sound answer in this referendum is to vote "No"? It is the only safe way to go forward with any possibility that we will get back to redeveloping our economy, getting our people back to work and building our public services. The Government is looking to give away what remains of autonomy, sovereignty and democratic rights. People can choose whether to re-elect the Government at the next election but if it brings in the European Commission and the European Court of Justice to police matters, we will not be able to vote them in or out. Does the Taoiseach agree it is absolute nonsense to suggest that in some way Fine Gael has discovered the panacea for our ills and is promoting growth? In reality, it is cutting repeatedly and increasing taxes.

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