Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

However, this deal is also a testimony to the Deputies in this House who have had the courage to support the Government in the difficult work we have had to do. It is the accomplishment of those who have kept faith and put their country first, understood the bigger picture and put the long-term well-being of the Irish people ahead of short-term political advantage. I thank them today for what they have done.

Today's announcement is not an end in itself but another major step on our way back. As the Taoiseach stated, we have further work to do on the separation of bank and sovereign debt and we will do that work from today onwards. This is an important step forward, which shows we are succeeding, making progress and will succeed.

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