Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

It seems that the last paper from the Greek Government to the institutions was dismissed out of hand, despite the fact that it represented an attempt to sum up the negotiations and a compromise. In terms of the primary surplus, Syriza and the Greek Government have moved on a rise in value added tax, VAT, on postponing the rise in the minimum wage, collective bargaining, pensions and a whole range of issues but the line from the institutions is that the other side is not seriously willing to negotiate. Is there not politics at play here? Is it not just the same as when the Minister talks about looking after our interest? Are those not the interests of the Government as opposed to the people?