Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Does the Taoiseach agree it is not really about the words that are written down in any treaty? We must deal with the reality. I ask him to deal with reality - which he has consistently refused to do, even up to today - by being concrete and honest with the Irish people about the impact of the structural deficit reduction and overall debt reduction proposals. Can he give us something concrete? Have his economic advisers sat down with him and explained that the impact of implementing these measures from 2015 onwards will be further severe cuts? How would that in any way promote growth in the economy when, as we know, the experience of austerity Europe-wide has been disastrous? Does he agree the tragedy of the people of Greece is that they are the victims of excess and relentless austerity, which is wrecking the economy?

Does the Taoiseach agree it undermines the possibility of a free democratic choice by the Irish people in the referendum on 31 May when he continues to hold a gun to their heads by saying that unless they vote "Yes" they will not have access to European Stability Mechanism funds? Could he today remove that gun from the heads of our people by saying that if the Irish people vote-----

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