Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

10:30 am

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

The issues we raised yesterday about the best decisions for Europe and for Ireland are finally coming into focus and the reality is that this is a European issue and a bank issue in this country. We need to understand those things and to decide on the best way forward. I do not know the answers and I do not know the positions of any of the parties. I do not know the Government position on this, the Fine Gael position or the Labour Party position. The parties have decided to argue among themselves about how information is or is not being released, but I would like to hear from the parties what their views are. My view is very simple. If it is in the best interests of this country to get money from Europe to help our banks, then that is what we should do. It is not an issue of undermining where we are going, but we should all say what the issues are and what is best for the country. I do not know enough to make that call but I would not be simply opposed to money coming from Europe if that was in the best interests of this country. That is the only benchmark I have to make my decision on it at this time and we should all approach it in that way. We can also have a go at governments and others who called it wrong as we go along. They are separate issues and one is not to be confused with the other. We need to hear that as we go along.

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