Dan Boyle (Green Party)

When we talk about international concerns about events happening in this country, both economically and politically, we should consider the wider aspect of what is being said and by whom it is being said. An article yesterday in Frankfurter Allgemeine pointed out that German banks had been colluding in the casino that had been the Irish banking system for a number of years and that they too bore a responsibility for the losses incurred. The maelstrom of economic uncertainty is as much an international and particularly a European problem as it is an Irish one. As we face up to the difficulties of the decisions that need to be made, there is also a need for the entire political system, not only the Government but also Opposition parties and those who aspire to being in government, to face up to challenges posed by forces outside the country which would undermine our economic future. This is not just about political mistakes, it is also about wider issues and we cannot be informed of decisions not in our best economic interest.

My party has taken action after long consideration. We consider it a renegotiation of the programme for Government in terms of what we have agreed, but we have now put a time limit upon it. This is a Government with a finite existence based on passing the most important elements left in its life — the finance Bill, a four-year programme and negotiations with bodies such as the IMF, the European Commission and the European Central Bank. However, we know there is also a responsibility for all those involved in the political system to engage in the process, as has been done in other countries. I cite Portugal as a particular example. How the Government finishes its term of office and how a subsequent Government will commence a new term of office will be determined by the events of the next few months. I ask all Members of this and the other House to concentrate on this task because the immediate economic future of the country is at stake.