Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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The amendment is a good one. No one would begrudge Greece getting some interest back. I accept its position is very different to Ireland’s but the principle is the same. We bailed out the European financial institutions but are now making substantial interest repayments each year, a serious burden on the economy. While the Minister claims the scheme may be obsolete, the interest repayments are not. If we were running a business and another business down the road got this concession from our bank, we would be looking for it too. The public finances and families are under pressure. The Government should pursue this concession with vigour. I am disappointed it is not.