Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

There was considerable fanfare last week and much talk of a breakthrough following the deal at the European Council meeting. There was a lot of self-congratulation about what had been achieved by the Government and the EU leaders. We heard similar talk from the troika, whom we met this morning, about this great breakthrough. People in this country have heard these expressions on many occasions, usually shortly after almost every summit in the last few years, and no sooner are the politicians slapping each other on the back and declaring they have made great progress than the whole thing unravels and nothing changes for ordinary people being crushed by cuts and the impact of austerity. I would like to think this one was different and that all the talk of the great breakthrough was meaningful this time so ordinary people could look forward to some relief and hope instead of the terrible situation faced by so many. However, this is highly unlikely.

The Government and European leaders, and the troika in our meeting this morning, when asked specifically what the deal would do for ordinary working people and the unemployed and for our economic prospects, gave us no detail at all. The troika in fact said the details were vague and we would have to see what the details actually were. I find it hard to understand how people can talk about a breakthrough when we are told the details have not been worked out. Is it not the reality that any change of policy last week did not arise from the great talent or ability of our Government or any of the politicians?

See this speech in context