Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reason Ireland is a special case and is recognised as such is that our banks have been recapitalised. Therefore, the assistance to be given is of a different nature from that for other countries which have not yet sought assistance. The fact is that the communiqué issued by myself and the German Chancellor recognises our unique circumstances and against that background, the special case that Ireland is recognised as having will be taken into account in the negotiations and discussions by the Eurogroup. No other country finds itself in these particular circumstances and that is what is special about the Irish case. It is not a special status, but a special case because of the background and the unique circumstances. The outcome of the meeting last Thursday and Friday clarified again, in the communiqué and in the press conference by President Hollande, that Ireland's special case will be taken into account when the Eurogroup goes through its negotiations and discussions. Out of that, what we want to get is the very best, maximum benefit that we can.

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