Independent TDs urge referendum over bailout

IRISH people should be able to voice their outrage at the IMF-EU bailout deal via a national referendum, an alliance of opposition TDs from left and right demanded.

United Left Alliance TD Richard Boyd Barrett insisted such a move would force Brussels to give the country a better deal.

Mr Boyd Barrett insisted the Fine Gael-Labour government had “sold-out” on its pre-election calls for senior bondholders to be “burned” in a new deal on recapitalising banks, and holding a referendum was the only way to restore “spine” to out position.

Members of the cross-party technical group of left- wing and Independent TDs united to demand a referendum as they claimed a similar national vote in Iceland had won that country generous concessions from international financial bodies after the electorate there rejected the original terms.

Shane Ross, regarded as on the right of the political spectrum in financial matters, joined the call. He warned that Ireland was heading for default and should face up to the fact the IMF-EU deal would not hold, and a new agreement needed to be worked out.

Joan Collins TD said the Government was following the “insane” agenda of its Fianna Fáil-Green predecessors and should allow the public to have their say on the bailout. She said the Government’s claim that its vote gave it a mandate to deal with the EU was incorrect.

North Dublin TD Finian McGrath said the Irish people had been “tortured” due to the actions of bankers who deserved to be “charged and jailed”.

The United Left Alliance has called for a mass protest outside the Dáil tonight to demand a referendum on the bailout as the huge Coalition majority means the national poll bid has little chance of passing the Oireachtas.