Independent TD Shane Ross has accused the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach of making “exaggerated claims’’ in the United States.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Mr Ross said Eamon Gilmore had claimed the fact that a very daring and audacious fund manager had put €2.5 billion into Irish bonds was a positive sign.
“He ought to be careful in what he says,’’ said Mr Ross. “That particular fund is at the bottom of its peer group in terms of performance in the United States.’’
The Dublin South TD also said he was begging Enda Kenny not to promote “the line he has been peddling on the bond markets” in the United States again.
Last week, he added, the Taoiseach had claimed in the Dáil and elsewhere that the fact that there had been a very small bond swap, from one bond to another, was a great victory for Ireland in the markets.
“What actually happened is that the National Treasury Management Agency twisted the arms of various Irish banks and forced them to take this swap,’’ Mr Ross added.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, who was taking Opposition leaders’ questions, said progress in the markets was made up of small and significant steps and the bond sale was one of them.
“The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are perfectly right to cite that when speaking to an American business audience, as they are also right to tell Irish people here that it is a small but positive step,’’ she added. “What if no one was buying our bonds?’’