Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Greek people have seen a further reduction in the minimum wage, while in this State we have increased the minimum wage, as both parties in government promised to do in the course of the election. We have achieved that by negotiation. For a programme country to secure that type of concession is an extraordinary achievement.

I reject what the Deputy said in regard to the interest rate reduction we achieved. We were working to secure it for more than six months. Papers were produced by the Government and when the Greek issue came to be resolved, the papers were there and the model was there.

I am not excluding any option in regard to the promissory notes. We are looking at all options.

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