Adams 'Dismisses' Irish IMF Obligations

The Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has dismissed the idea that the Republic of Ireland had 'obligations' to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Adams said Sinn Fein, if in government in the Republic, would stand up for Irish interests against the international banking community.

He accepted that the European Central Bank (ECB) invested vast sums of money, but insisted this was ECB's "problem".

Mr Adams (pictured) said: "Sinn Fein didn't create the economic crisis. Sinn Fein didn't give away what remains of our sovereignty.

"Sinn Fein didn't put big bankers and golden circles before Irish citizens. Sinn Fein makes no apology for saying that Irish taxpayers cannot afford the EU/IMF money.

"Our view on this is shared by many prominent economists including a Nobel Prize winning economist," he insisted, as this week's General Election looms.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour leaders will battle it out for the last time before the election on Tuesday night.

The three leaders have each claimed victory at the previous debates, as they try to win over voters ahead of the Friday's General Election.

Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore and Micheal Martin will all leave the campaign trail early today to prepare for the final TV debate, which takes place on RTÉ, Tuesday night, from 9.40pm to 11.10pm.

Tonight's debate is planned to focus on the economy, and is being seen as a pivotal night for Fine Gael, who could make a significant difference to the make up of the Dáil with a positive showing tonight.

Current estimates suggest the party may not be far from achieving an outright majority in the Dáil, but have some work to do to avoid the expected coalition with the Labour Party.

Under the proposed format, each party leader will be allowed make a pitch to the viewers before taking questions.

Unlike the five-way clash last week there will be no studio audience driving the while Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams and The Green Party's John Gormley will not be in attendance.

To make up for their absence, the Greens are holding an online question and answer session from 11am to 8pm, while Sinn Fein will unveil a new billboard campaign attacking what it claims is a consensus for cuts among the three main parties.

(BMcC/GK)