Jimmy Harte (Labour)

We lost our sovereignty and no amount of denial will solve the problem but we must move on from here. Today we are a little further forward than we were six months ago, even though we are not in a great position. The Minister of State may be better informed than I am about the situation in Greece and Italy as it seems to be difficult to comprehend. I note that Berlusconi has lost his vote but he won the vote on the austerity measures. I do not know if this is correct but the Greek Prime Minister-elect has said he will not agree to the austerity measures so I am at a loss to know to what has happened in the last half an hour. It seems that by tomorrow morning our debate could be dealing again with a problem in Greece or a case where Italy has survived.

On a lighter note, I am pleased that Trapattoni and not Berlusconi is in charge of our team next week.