Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

This Government has failed to stand against the payment of a €3.1 billion promissory note and has, in fact, boasted that it has not asked for a write down of the unjust banking debt imposed on Irish citizens and which has forced more of our people, in particular our young people, to emigrate. We made an alternative budget submission but the Government has failed to introduce practical and effective job creation and growth strategies to get people back to work and get the economy growing.

Despite its refusal to stand up to the big people, it is prepared to impose all of these new taxes and charges on those who can least afford to pay for them. I have only been in the House for a year but I see Labour Party Ministers carrying the can in this Chamber for Fine Gael. I see that time and again. Where is the Minister, Deputy Hogan, tonight?

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