Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

-----nor have I any intention of leaving aside my duties when the House is in recess.

The discussions currently going on in terms of the agenda to be determined for tomorrow are important. Obviously, the issues that have been put out here need decision by the eurozone leaders and as I have stated to the Dáil, I hope the process of making decisions, separate from any private sector involvement here, will demonstrate that the eurozone countries are prepared to back themselves up, particularly in regard to a country like Ireland which has met all the conditions of the austere and challenging circumstance in which we find ourselves. From that point of view, I am keen to see a situation where decisions are made that bring to an end the concern and anxiety about a contagion spreading from Greece to other countries. That is why the meeting is taking place now. There is a range of issues on which, I hope, the meeting will focus in order to make decisions.

We have gone through the process of imposing significant burdens on subordinated bondholders. As I said, we do not regard that book as being closed in regard to Anglo Irish Bank. However, people should be clear on what they are arguing about. A failure on the part of a private enterprise, even one that must be taken into public ownership as a result of chronic mismanagement, is one thing - that is part of the commercial reality in which people operate - but the situation of a country is very different. The failure of a country to pay back what it has borrowed causes real and lasting damage to its reputation and future ability to borrow. It causes great pain and suffering for its people who must bear the brunt of any such action. This is something countries only do only as an absolute last resort.

I realise several countries have been pushing hard to have the private sector share the load of the public purse in any new arrangement for Greece. This reflects the fact that in several countries it has become increasingly difficult for the government to secure the agreement of the Parliament on what is needed by way of support from others. I cannot inform the House what will be agreed tomorrow - nor can anyone else who intends to attend the meeting of the eurozone Heads of State - whether the private sector will play a part and, if so, to what extent. However, I will continue to do everything possible to impress upon the leaders and partners the need to ensure what takes place does not damage this country's interests. We are implementing our programme, working hard and delivering. This is not the assessment of the Government but that of the IMF. It would be a great injustice if our prospects for recovery were to suffer a setback through no fault of our own.

Deputy Martin called for this debate yesterday. Although I do not agree with them, there were other suggestions from Deputies not elected for any party. Deputy Martin has stated his position clearly, as he has always done. All I got from the leader of the Fianna Fáil Party were comments on issues related to Roscommon County Hospital, to this, that and the other.

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