Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's demeanour and behaviour in respect of Greece at the most recent Council meeting were nothing short of despicable. Regardless of where this all ends, the Greek Government has at least challenged the narrative of austerity that has done such damage, crushed the ordinary people of Greece and given rise to a desperate humanitarian crisis and asked that the possibility of introducing alternative policies that will not require future suffering on the part of ordinary people be considered. Instead of stating that the Greeks are absolutely right - particularly in light of our own humanitarian difficulties, namely, the unprecedented housing crisis, the unbelievable increase in child poverty levels and a similar increase in the number of suicides related to the economic crash - showing solidarity with them and appealing for relief, latitude and an end to policies which cause human suffering, the Government chose to stab them in the back. We have aligned ourselves with austerity bullies such as Angela Merkel and Mario Draghi, and the remainder of the financial, corporate and political elite throughout Europe, who are willing to sacrifice the livelihoods and well-being of ordinary people in Greece and, for that matter, in Ireland. That is absolutely shameful and treacherous and not just in the context of the Greek people but also regarding our own citizens.

Deputy Clare Daly referred to the demonstration which took place at the weekend. The Minister of State really should have been in attendance because he would have seen people holding aloft the Irish flag in one hand and the Greek flag in the other. It was fantastic and demonstrated both instinctive internationalism and the sense of international solidarity between people in this country and their counterparts on the other side of Europe.

The Taoiseach, Chancellor Merkel and all the rest of them are playing with fire in terms of what they are doing. If the people who are opposed to austerity and who stand on the tradition of solidarity between different nationalities against austerity do not prevail, then that will create the space for the far right to grow. I was interviewed by a German journalist who is based in Saxony in recent days and I must admit that what he told me was terrifying. Immigrants are now afraid to walk the streets of the major cities in Saxony, such is the level of growth among Pegida and other organisations on the fascist far fight.

It is scary for immigrants to walk on the streets. The fascists are able to mobilise up to 60,000 people on the streets in Germany. We have not seen figures like that since the 1930s. The growth of the far-right in Greece and other parts of Europe is a direct result of austerity. In the absence of an alternative being offered by the political establishment, the anger and despair at austerity is beginning to express itself in the most disgusting and frightening ways. The Minister of State is playing with fire. He should stand with the people who are fighting austerity rather than stab them in the back.

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