David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My final point is about issues that were raised yesterday regarding a possible debate in the House on a debt conference. Next week, the Taoiseach will meet the President of the EU Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. When he does so he must put a debt conference on the agenda and not leave the new incoming Greek Government isolated in making demands for restructuring of debt or dealing with states' levels of indebtedness, especially when one considers that the debt to GDP ratio in this State is 111%. If any country should be demanding a debt conference and seeking movement on the debt, much of which is not ours in the first place but private banking debt, it should be this country. It is regrettable that the Taoiseach has ruled out a debt conference, but we should have a debate on it in this House. The Dáil should have one too but we can only seek a debate here. I reiterate the call I made yesterday that, if possible, the Leader afford us the opportunity to have a debate on that important issue next week.