Sinn Féin Féin president Gerry Adams has called for the Dáil to be reconvened immediately to discuss the banking crisis and “soaring” unemployment.
Mr Adams was speaking in Dublin at a meeting of the party’s ard comhairle.
“The past week has seen further allegations about what the Government knew but didn’t reveal to the Dáil when it introduced the bank guarantee,” Mr Adams said.
“Decisions on Anglo Irish Bank, which will have huge ramifications for taxpayers and the future of the State, and on the renewal of the bank guarantee, should not have been taken while the Dáil is on holidays. The Government has no mandate for this.”
The Sinn Féin leader said the Government’s handling of the banking crisis had been “disastrous”.
“It has failed to do anything to tackle soaring unemployment. It is planning further cuts to public services while it puts almost €30 billion of taxpayers' money into Anglo Irish.”
Mr Adams said forcing the Government to go, making it hold the overdue byelections and “putting forward an alternative budget” would be his party’s priorities over the coming months.
“The Taoiseach should recall the Dáil immediately to deal with these urgent issues.”
Today’s ard comhairle meeting was also discussing the new Northern Assembly term which starts on Monday, and legal moves by the party to force the holding of the Donegal South West by election.