Rónán Mullen (Independent)

We all wish the Minister for Finance the very best at the ECOFIN meeting. While we acknowledge the many good things our membership of the EU has secured for this country, it is only honest for us to note that we are dealing in some cases with forces that do not have our best interests at heart. At a time when we are not borrowing and we have sufficient funds to last until next June, why are we suddenly coming under pressure to take the bailout route? I was struck by a point made by a commentator to the effect that when we had our own currency our banks were assisted by our Central Bank, but now we are depending on the European Central Bank. While I accept the European Central Bank has been putting money into our banks, I suggest that it needs to see this problem as its problem as well as our problem. We have already heard the comments of Chancellor Merkel, which could be considered to be unhelpful to our interests. We are famous for our negotiating ability. It will be important for Ireland to work with its allies and to push back against attitudes that might serve the interests of larger and more powerful countries in the EU, rather than assisting us in our immediate crisis.

As Senator Donohoe said, "despite the gravity of the situation" we must not forget the vulnerable in our society. Members will be aware of the priorities set out by Inclusion Ireland for people with intellectual disabilities in its proposals for the forthcoming budget. It emphasised the need to avoid cuts in the front-line health and education services provided to people with disabilities and to improve the personal advocacy services set out in the Citizens Information Act 2007. We cannot afford to lose sight of such priorities. Any reduction in disability supports of any kind must be a last resort. In light of the waste involved in Irish politics and Government Departments — I refer to the inflated wages of some top public and civil servants, the massive proliferation of quangos, the gross overruns and unreasonable expenses associated with the tribunals and our willingness to throw good money after bad into our banking system — it is inconceivable that we have reached the last resort in expenditure cuts. The vulnerable should not be a viable economic target. We have to find a way to keep this issue front and central, even while recognising and working within the grave situation we have.