Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that the external partners, including the IMF, all reported in advance of 2007 that Ireland's fiscal policies were sound and that the banks had adequate capital, his views that Ireland should be reliant therefore on the advice, direction and diktat of these partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9667/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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One of the key lessons from the crisis – both internationally and domestically – is that not enough attention was paid to the inter-relatedness of credit, construction, indebtedness, and the real economy. From an Irish perspective, it is also fair to say that insufficient weight was given to contrarian views, a point which was made recently in the Nyberg report. While our external funding partners must be consulted – they are after-all providing significant funding to us – I would stress that the policies currently being followed are those of the Irish Government. These policies are about restoring stability and repairing our international reputation. The Government is also proceeding with a Jobs Initiative in May, designed to underpin the labour market and help restore confidence.