Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It was made perfectly clear that the €8 billion tranche approved in principle to go to Greece would be paid over on its signing up to the conditions which were laid out. At the meeting, there was a very long discussion about this - it continued until the early hours of the morning - and when it eventually concluded the Prime Minister of Greece stated that it was an opportunity for a new day for his country and its citizens. The clear understanding of everybody in the room was that the matter had been decided, agreement had been reached, conditions had been laid out and people were expected to implement it. Obviously, when for his own reasons the Greek Prime Minister decided to return home and announce a referendum would be held it caused massive turmoil in the Greek Parliament and Government and in his own party. The matter has now been cleared to a point where there is focus on what they have to do. Obviously, the German Chancellor and the French President, as big payers, were exceptionally upset, particularly I am sure the French President because the triple-A status of France was being threatened and commented upon. Arising from the conclusion of the meeting where a clear set of decisions had been made things began to improve but then they were thrown into some confusion.

I do not support at all a situation in which inner and outer groups exist; this is a Union of 27 and whether it be Cyprus or Malta or the largest country they all sit at the table as equals and there is no one else there when they sit around the table. While leaders may take an initiative and state what they believe needs to be done there must be unanimous consent in some cases on conclusions and the changes that can be brought about as result of talks which take place. It is a serious place where very serious issues are discussed. In September, the German Chancellor passed measures in the Bundestag which required her to return for validation any further funds to be made available, and people would feel aggrieved at a spanner being thrown into the works which caused some confusion before clarity again emerged. As a consequence, in the meantime Italy became the source of much focus. As I stated to Deputy Martin, Prime Minister Berlusconi brought a 15 page document of proposals for the implementation of serious austerity measures in Italy. The situation in the Parliament there has changed but on that day he pointed out that he had a majority to implement them.

See this speech in context