Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support the request to have a debate on what was agreed in Brussels last night at the earliest possible stage. In so far as I am aware of the outcome I welcome the progress made. However, we must acknowledge there remains a long road to travel. I agree with Senator Feargal Quinn's comments on the Greek debt situation. The cry of some people is that Ireland should default. I concede that cry is not coming from within this House but let us ask ourselves about the cost of the so-called easy option of default by Greece. As we speak, tens of thousands of Greek civil servants have been sacked, Greek social welfare rates have been cut by 50% and the Greek economy is crumbling. This is the price they are paying for default and it is a price we have no wish or cannot afford to pay, politically, socially or economically.

Progress is being made and it is no harm to reflect on where the country was at this time 12 months ago. At the time, the Government was not split in two, it was split in about four parts. The Taoiseach was about to resign and there was internal combustion within both Government parties. Banks were collapsing and the economy was falling down all around us and there was almost a state of economic fear among the people. We have made solid progress in the past 12 months, but there is still a long way to go. It is important that we debate the Brussels deal with a view to considering where we go from here. I hope the Leader will facilitate such a debate in the coming weeks.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames requested that we come together to agree an all-party motion on the issue discussed during Private Members' time last night. I note with satisfaction that there is an all-party motion, non-Government motion No. 6 on the Order Paper, on a difficult situation in Iran. Similarly, we should be able to reach all-party consensus arising from last night's discussion on gendercide. It is fair to say the Government amendment was carried strongly. However, it is also fair to say, as anybody who participated in or observed last night's debate would agree, that there would have been equal support for the original motion. I call for a discussion among the party Whips to devise an agreed all-party wording arising from last night's debate.