Martin: People must be consulted on EU deal

Opposition party leaders say their concerns about the deal struck to save the euro in Brussels last week remain, despite having been briefed on the summit details this morning by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Fianna Fáil's Micheal Martin, Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams and Independent TD Catherine Murphy were briefed by the Taoiseach this morning for around an hour at Government Buildings.

Mr Kenny has already said he is awaiting legal clarity on whether or not a referendum is necessary on the new fiscal deal, and it could be March before we have an answer.

Speaking after the meeting this morning, Mr Martin said the legal advice should have been sought long ago.

"I'm somewhat surprised that there is not clarity at this stage on whether we need a referendum or not," Mr Martin said, "given that the Taoiseach and the Government would have been aware of some of the moves that were being made in advance of the summit.

"It seems to me that they are playing for time on that.

"Given the nature of what people want to put into a treaty, I think there is no alternative but to consult the people on it."

Also speaking after the meeting, Deputy Murphy - who was representing the Dáil's Technical Group - said the briefing made it clear that Ireland is paying a very high price for putting the future of the euro before everything else.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he is now even more concerned about how ordinary citizens will be affected by the deal, and that Irish people have had to bear the brunt of the wrongs of others.

"The payment of the unguaranteed bondholders; the private debt of the toxic banks being borne by citizens to protect the eurozone and to stop any contagion - and what have we got for it?" asked Deputy Adams.

"We have a political agreement that… in many ways is seeking to institutionalize these issues."