Micheál Martin: “We must defend and vindicate these values - both within Europe and globally - and this parliament has a vital role to…”

The rate of growth is declining. But to use words like ‘brutal’ is completely over the top, if you don't mind me saying so, and a gross exaggeration.

I've made my position clear in terms of where I think there can be derogations, and there doesn't need to be a picket.

I believe that parliamentary democracy matters. People may criticise it and so on, but it's not a routine sort of service. It is the expression of the democratic will of the people in parliament. I think that matters, and that should be…

I do not believe the basis exists for industrial action. I don't believe the public should have to endure that, because there have been significant tax cuts in the Budget, which will help workers.