Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Darragh O'Brien, Mullins, Paul Coghlan, Jim D'Arcy and Cullinane spoke about the situation in Greece. The euro summit statement stressed the need for the Greek authorities to rebuild trust as a prerequisite for a possible future agreement on the new European Stability Mechanism programme. In this regard, the Greek authorities have committed to legislate for a first set of measures without delay. As a precondition for the Eurogroup to agree the new European Stability Mechanism programme, Greece will also need to request continued IMF support, monitoring and financing from March 2016. A decision to mandate the institutions to negotiate a memorandum of understanding cannot be made until the implementation of the above measures, as well as their endorsement by the Greek Parliament, has been verified by the institutions and the Eurogroup. We have a little way to go yet before we get the full facts in relation to any bailout programme. I will ask the Minister to come in for a debate on the issue in due course. I feel it would be a little premature at this stage, considering the points I have made in this regard.