17 November 2010
Following the Financial Secretary to the Treasury's statement to MPs, Harriett Baldwin highlights the restrictions and extra difficulties facing Ireland because it is in the euro.
Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): Does the Minister agree that the problem in Ireland is not so much the fiscal measures that it is taking, or global growth, but the fact that it is in the euro, and that as long as Ireland is in the euro it is hard to see how it can work its way through these problems? Would the Minister like to pay tribute to all those on this side of the House who fought to keep this country out of the euro?
Mr Hoban: Indeed, and my hon. Friend makes an important point. We have access to a wider range of economic tools to resolve our problems as a consequence of our being outside the euro. It is also worth bearing it in mind that this crisis flows from the banking sector, not from public spending in Ireland.
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