Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012, which gives effect to the fiscal compact treaty referendum from several months ago, which a significant majority supported. In a way, it is almost counterintuitive that we would have a vote in the House on it, given that the people have made their choice. It is still the House’s responsibility to put into legislation the effects of the decisions made by the people, however. I note Members opposite are choosing to ignore the strong democratic decision the people made in claiming they will vote against the Bill. That is disappointing, as the people have made their decision - one that all of us, no matter which way we campaigned during the referendum, have an obligation to support.

I am always amused when I speak after Deputy Boyd Barrett. Seeing as he delivers more or less the same speech on every occasion, I am never surprised by the content of his contribution. Today, however, even by his own standards, his misuse of statistics was quite baffling. In particular, I was baffled that he, as a member of the finance committee of which I am also a member, could liberally quote the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council as if it were supporting his position.

He should know better because he was there, as I was, when its representatives suggested that the deficit process which the Government is moving through successfully was not moving swiftly enough.

See this speech in context