Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hope when all the Deputies on the opposite side of the House return to their constituencies and face their people that they will think this is such a good deal and will be in a mood to laugh because the laugh will be on the other side of their faces.

I will say my few words on my own behalf and on behalf of the Independents. I am a very small businessman of long standing. I have to ask the question, which every Irish person will ask tonight: when is a deal not a deal? This, clearly, is not a deal. Like the other speakers, I want to pay tribute to the Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy Noonan, and the officials in the Department of Finance for their hard work and endeavours, but sadly they have not delivered. What have we got? A child who is born today will get a lovely birthday present in 25 years time, in 2038 - a noose around his or her neck. That is what will happen. We are kicking the can down the road. Why did the Government not act on the mandate it got less than two years ago? This time two years ago its members were out canvassing. According to the Tánaiste, hell's fire was not going to be hot enough for the bondholders. Satan was stoking the fire and the Tánaiste was going to be hotter than that and he was going to burn them, but no bondholder has been burned.

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