Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

We all know Ireland is a small open economy that is deeply dependent on the role of financial investment in its economy to keep it going and very dependent on its international reputation. A number of speakers have referred to the role the IMF could play in the economy in the future. We need to be very clear about one thing. While an outside body could play a role in helping the country tackle interests that are holding us back, the effect this would have on our international reputation would be disastrous. We are deeply dependent on our ability to attract people, capital and talent, and that reputation would suffer a decisive blow if it appeared to the outside world we were not capable of managing our own affairs and leading our country back to security.

All speakers on that point need to be very conscious of this. We are still many steps away from such a scenario evolving. The Government still has cards to play to ensure this does not happen. One of those cards is the implementation of the Croke Park deal. If the political will was there to negotiate the deal, where is the political will to implement it?