Sinn Féin Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has said comments from Central Bank governor, Patrick Honohan are “disappointing for those who hoped for a genuine improvement in people’s lives from a deal on the promissory notes.”
Deputy Doherty was speaking after quizzing Governor Honohan in the Dáil Finance Committee. Patrick Honohan hinted that the “design” of a deal was already known.
“I put three key questions to Governor Honohan on the impact any deal would have. I asked would it reduce our debt to GDP ratio, would it lift the €28 billion burden from taxpayers and would it mean we would pay less interest on the notes. The answer to the three questions was “No”.
“This means citizens will not benefit from any deal on this basis and it suggests that the government is negotiating a slight of hand.
“Any positive benefits emerging from a deal will be welcomed by Sinn Féin but leaving the €28 billion bill with the taxpayer in whatever form is unacceptable.
“It is not too late for this government to negotiate seriously and forcefully assert that the unjust burden on Irish citizens must be lifted- not shifted to another form or simply paid over a longer period. A genuine write-down on the promissory notes is a fair demand and anything short of that will benefit working citizens very little if at all.”
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