The Dáil should be summoned tomorrow to hear a full statement from Taoiseach for the "momentous and historical" decisions agreed with the EU institutions and the IMF to have any "democratic legitimacy", according to Labour deputy leader Joan Burton.
She said the confirmation that Ireland had formally applied for a financial rescue package was the "final epitaph for a Fianna Fáil Government that has plunged the country into the financial abyss and that has consistently and deliberately lied to the Irish people".
Criticising Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, she said his policies had been clearly proven wrong by tonight's announcement.
"Clearly secret negotiations have been under way between the Government and the EU and IMF for some time," she said.
"But the Dáil and the Irish people have no idea what has been agreed or not agreed, or by whom. We do not even know who is representing Ireland in these negotiations."
Ms Burton said the Taoiseach needed to tell TDs tomorrow how much money was involved in the rescue package and what interest rate Ireland would be charged. She also said it was unclear how much of the fund would be used to support the banks and how much would help fund Government spending.
