Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

We criticise regimes when they do this. It is extraordinary that the Government is to move one writ but, it appears, not the others. As Deaglán de Bréadún rightly observes in The Irish Times today: "It has taken the High Court to spell out the Coalition's constitutional duty and emphasise that the citizen is supreme".

It is time to realise the international bond markets are not impressed by this behaviour either. We heard this morning the interview with the analyst who said broader factors were impacting on the bond markets, quite apart from the fiscal and economic policy that will be followed in the next few weeks. These factors are influencing our reputation as a democracy internationally and at home. It is time, therefore, the Government realised the seriousness of what is being done and how it is behaving. Somebody must cry halt. Last night in the House the Government's position was defeated and the Minister's view rejected.