Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I will do everything in my power as Minister for Finance in the remaining weeks available to the Government to work on this subject.

Let us be under no illusions. These are difficult complex negotiations involving many member states and the interest rates were set and determined well in advance of any application by Ireland. This is the factual position. Following the agreement with Ireland, Greece sought the same terms so it is not correct to state our arrangement was less favourable. It was in accordance with precedent.

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