Shane Ross (Independent)

It tells us a lot because a public service trade unionist has told Members of the Oireachtas to shut up on issues of national importance and to leave it to him and the others. That is a serious matter. Yesterday Moody's carried out a new credit rating review of Ireland. It stated it was looking at the Irish budget next week with a view to downgrading our credit rating again. I hope to God it has not been watching the farce in Government Buildings. If it sees that the democratically elected politicians in this country do not matter and the Taoiseach capitulating to trade unionists' demands and these irresponsible statements, with democrats being told to keep their mouths shut on national issues, it will give the thumbs down to Ireland. It is vital the Taoiseach shows some bottle in the face of these threats and delivers the cuts that are necessary, regardless of the trade unionists. He must listen to his backbenchers instead.