Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not another question; my point is kind of linked but essentially the same question. The Minister of State says the matters associated with the mechanism used to give recognition to the investment of the State will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. That is the kind of language that is now emerging. It is stated that other member states and the ESM will examine the matter depending on the case we put forward. We are weakening our hand in the negotiations by not taking a conditional line of credit as we exit the bailout. I am not directing my remarks at the Minister of State in saying the Government is engaged in a political posturing exercise by stating we have had a clean exit, that things are great, that there is a bit of confidence and that we are going well. I have no problem with the principle of that but, unfortunately, it is undermining the capacity of the State and its negotiators to return to the member states and contend that we have a very considerable debt burden. It is largely unsustainable and if there is a lower level of growth than projected, our staggering debt pile may become unmanageable. It is scarcely manageable at present. I am sure Deputy Mathews will agree with me when he gets an opportunity to contribute. By making a political statement at home, we are actually weakening our argument in front of those we need to convince.

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