Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a wonderful musical at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre called "Anglo: The Musical". It sums up the problem of Ireland, its relationship with Europe and a possible solution far better than the Taoiseach's speech. There is not much point in the Taoiseach saying the only item on the agenda is the multi-annual budget. That is not the only item on the agenda of Europe today. The only items are debt, debt and debt. To go to Europe and suggest we are not going to raise this vital problem is unrealistic and being in denial. The Government likes, as Deputy Seamus Healy said, to be congratulated, applauded, wined and dined and told how wonderful it is. The one big problem, which is shown in the musical, is how to tackle the debt. There are no proposals for that on the agenda. In a revealing sentence, the Taoiseach said that when this is out of the way, we will be allowed to return our full attention to the stability jobs and growth agenda that will be the priority when we take over the Presidency. These items should be top of the list. Have they been put to one side so there is concentration on the little diversion of the multi-annual budget?

As a curtain raiser for the Presidency, we need a declaration that the nonsense of coming before the House and saying we must look after Europe as equals and that we will be impartial in the Presidency should be discarded. Let us resolve that the Presidency will be used for Ireland and that the Presidency will give us the leverage to do what we need to do. Everyone knows that write-down of debt is essential. It is not sustainable in the shape it is in at the moment. Let us use the Presidency to put at the top of every agenda the write-down of debt. Let us give notice to the European Union, tonight and tomorrow, that the budget can be discussed but we intend to regard the Anglo Irish Bank promissory notes on 31 March as a priority.

The musical portrays us as perceived lapdogs. I am not one for knocking the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste abroad but the musical has the message that we did not all party. Some people did, some people did not and some did not like what was happening. The other question was where the money came from and the simplistic message was that it came from German banks. The third telling and disappointing image was that one of the puppets was Angela Merkel, who had a dog on the lead. The dog was the Taoiseach, which is symbolic of the fact that we are becoming subservient. We are the dogs who do not bark when we go to Europe and face the powers of Europe.

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