Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have much to talk about but this is my time to say something.

Sinn Féin presented the Government with legislation last month that would enable the State to claw back a large amount of the money paid to bankers without breaking any contracts, merely by applying a levy on excess payments. The Taoiseach did not do it, but he has no problem making demands of the Irish people, telling them they have to give more and live on less. Why does he not make those demands of the bankers, politicians and those who have retired from the banking industry? The reason is that he does not have the stomach for it. It is easier to take on those who are less powerful.

So, what is it all about? What is this institution, this Parliament, Teachtaí Dála and Seanadóirí about? What is the Government doing? Labour went into Government claiming they would rein in Fine Gael. The Greens said the same thing about Fianna Fáil and, before that, the Progressive Democrats claimed they were here to keep Fianna Fáil honest. They all failed. What is the purpose of Labour remaining in the Government? Next year, Labour will celebrate the centenary of the 1913 Lock-out. In 2013, the rich will be rich and the poor will be slaves. Labour has very little to celebrate, but perhaps they can celebrate bums on ministerial seats, flashy cars and big wages and pensions.

I know there are decent people in every party and among the Independents. Probably everyone comes into the Dáil with good intentions, but we are here to serve the citizens, all the citizens and not the elites. Equality should be our watchword. We should be servants of our people. That is to whom we owe our allegiance. After last year's budget I quoted Luke Kelly. People of a certain age will have fond memories of Luke Kelly. I will quote him again - he says it better than I do:

For What Died the Sons and daughters of Róisín, was it greed 

Was it greed that drove Wolfe Tone to a pauper's death in a cell of cold wet stone?

Will German, French or Dutch inscribe the epitaph of Emmet?

When we have sold enough of Ireland to be but strangers in it. 

To whom do we owe our allegiance today

To those brave men and women who fought and died that Róisín live again with pride?

Or the faceless men who for mark and dollar,

Betray her to the highest bidder?

The Taoiseach made his choice, he has decided what side he is on. His Government's vision is narrow and selfish; it is Fianna Fáil light. There is, however, an alternative vision. It is a vision of a new Ireland, a new republic that embraces all the citizens of this island, a republic that is democratic and inclusive and based on equality, freedom and social solidarity, a republic that shares its wealth more equitably, looks after its aged and young, provides full rights for people with disabilities, liberates women, and delivers the highest standards of public services. In the here and now, it is about providing a real effective and alternative Opposition to the Government and to Fianna Fáil. It is about articulating an economic approach that is realistic, viable and doable.

This morning Sinn Féin launched our campaign against the family home tax.  I am appealing to citizens and families to make a stand and resist the imposition of this unfair tax. I appeal to Teachtaí Dála and Seanadóirí in every party who still believe in the core values of republicanism, and Sinn Féin has no monopoly on this, and to those in this Oireachtas who believe in equality to vote against these regressive measures and the social welfare and other cuts.

This is a bankers' budget; it is a budget for the elites. It is a budget for austerity and against the interests of the majority of citizens. The Taoiseach and the leader of the Labour Party should be ashamed of it.

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