Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I suggested to the Taoiseach at the time that it was a good opportunity to present the case, the pros and the cons of whether we should have a precautionary credit line, but he refused to do so. That has been characteristic of the Government's position on this key issue, which deserves far more than the Dáil is getting today.

A total of €53 billion is needed over the next three years, €35 billion of which is for maturing debt and €18 billion for the Exchequer to maintain public services. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste spoke about the implementation of the programme but the bottom line is that the Government voted against 70% of the proposals contained in that programme. Every member of the Government condemned the programme but they are now slapping themselves on the back for implementing it with such aplomb.

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