STATEMENT BY THE TAOISEACH AND FIANNA FAIL MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT ON MONDAY, 22nd November 2010
There are occasions when the imperative of serving the national interest transcends other concerns, including party political and personal concerns.
This is one such occasion.
The vital national interests of this country require that financial stability be achieved:
by publishing a four-year olan which sets out how the necessary €15 billion adjustment will be implemented by 2014;
by adopting a Budget which effects a €6 billion adjustment in 2011;
by taking the necessary legislative and other measures to give effect to the terms of the Budget; and
by concluding negotiations on a Programme for support from the European Union, the ECB and the IMF. These negotiations, in turn, are taking place in the context of the budgetary arrangements coming into effect.
It is a matter of the highest importance that Dáil Éireann should continue to consider and enact the relevant measures, and that the Government should continue to discharge its obligation to bring forward the necessary proposals.
There will be a time for political accountability to the electorate. The interests of the electorate, of all our people, will not be served by delaying, or worse still casting into doubt, the steps which are necessary to secure our economy and financial stability.
The Government will publish its four-year plan next Wednesday; it will continue the negotiations with the EU, the ECB and with the IMF; it will present a Budget to the Dáil on 7th December and it will introduce the necessary resolutions and legislation to give definitive effect to those measures.
We believe that there is a clear duty on all members of Dáil Éireann to facilitate the passage of these measures in the uniquely serious circumstances in which we find ourselves. The political and financial stability of the State requires no less.
It is the Taoiseach’s intention, at the conclusion of this budgetary process with the enactment of the necessary legislation in the new year, to seek a dissolution of Dáil Éireann and to enable the people to determine who should undertake the responsibilities of Government in the challenging period ahead.