Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Following a request from the Greek authorities, the Finance Ministers in Europe agreed to activate a stability package for Greece. That is designed first and foremost to safeguard the financial stability of the EU and Greece. The discussion between the Heads of State tomorrow has to be finalised and as the Taoiseach pointed out in respect of our own legislation, any international agreement must be annexed to our legislation. That international agreement will not be finalised until such time as the Heads of State have completed their deliberations.

There may have been some mix-up in respect of timing with the Whips. The legislation will be coming before the Government on Tuesday, the debate in the House will take place the following week, and in the interim, Department officials and the Minister for Finance will be briefing the relevant spokespersons in the Opposition parties in preparation for that discussion.

See this speech in context