Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Ministers for Finance will conclude the negotiations on the interest rate reductions being sought by this and other countries. If they fail to do that and the matter is returned to the Heads of Government, so be it. I have every faith in the ability of our Minister for Finance to do his part of that job. He is doing it very clearly and in a strong and forthright fashion.

The level of interest rate reduction is a matter for the Ministers for Finance to conclude. Various figures have been mentioned, ranging from 0.4% to 1%. The Greek Prime Minister sought a 2% reduction at the beginning and he was given a 1% reduction, although his country was not in the EFSF category. That matter is not concluded and I cannot give the Deputy an answer to his question about what the eventual interest rate reduction will be. The more, the better.

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