Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Tá uair na cinniúna buailte linn, an deis a bhí le teacht i gcónaí dá mbeimis sách foighneach. Tá deis iontach ann anois breith ar an mbreac. The eurozone countries are struggling to reach agreement prior to the EU summit. It has been reported that Greek debt bondholders are likely to lose up to 50% of their money and that widespread recapitalisation of European banks will follow. This will deal with the roadblocks we have consistently faced in terms of burning bank bondholders. The problem with acting unilaterally was that the sources of money to pay health, education and social welfare services would have dried up immediately. We now have an opportunity to act on a structured basis across the eurozone. Has this matter been put on the agenda for the summit and will the Government insist on Ireland having parity in whatever arrangement is put in place for Greece? Will the Government veto any arrangement which does not provide us with the same treatment as Greece? The burden should be shared between those who lent money recklessly to the banks of Europe and those who received it. Where do we stand on this issue? It is vital that we do not miss this unique opportunity which, as I noted in Irish, is bound to come our way if we are patient enough.

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