Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien and several other Members of the House referred to the leaking of the report of the Expert Group on the Judgment in A, B and C v. Ireland. Likewise, I would condemn any leaking of such a document before Members of the Oireachtas have had an opportunity to discuss it. It is reprehensible. However, it is preposterous for Members in this House to blame the Minister for Health for leaking the document. It is not for Members of this House to make such allegations and put them in the public arena for political purposes. This matter will be dealt with. We will have a debate in this House, probably next week, or as soon as I can possibly arrange a debate on the expert group's report. It is with the Cabinet today and I will do my utmost to arrange a debate on it next week.

We have extremes of view on that issue, from one side to the other. When we are having a debate on it, however, I hope we will have a calm and reflective discussion on the expert group's report. While there may be extremes on both sides, a lot of people have middle-ground views on it. I would like to hear those people as well during the debate next week.

Senator Darragh O'Brien also raised the question of the Greek deal. The crucial benefit for Ireland in this agreement is that it will restore confidence in the eurozone, which is a very positive factor for us given our levels of trade within the eurozone. Ireland will not have to contribute to Greece as long as we are in receipt of financial assistance ourselves. As has been acknowledged, Ireland is a special case. We are actively discussing measures to enhance the Irish debt sustainability programme in the Eurogroup.

These discussions will complement our ongoing discussions with the troika on the existing programme. We are also pursuing issues related to the banking debt through additional channels and the Eurogroup is also examining this issue. Discussions on the restructuring of the promissory notes are ongoing with the troika and the ECB. Those are the advantages Ireland can secure from the Greek deal now that there is more confidence in the eurozone as a result of last night's decision.

People say we should be the same as Greece but we are not the same.