Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Cathaoirleach recently received the speaker of the Iranian Parliament and we witnessed the excellent relationship that he and all those who met that very fine delegation had with it.

We wish the Greek people well. Naturally, we are all concerned for them. They held an unnecessary referendum in the sense that the question put to the people was off the table. With respect to Senator Darragh O'Brien's call for a debate, I do not think that a debate in the immediate term would be helpful. We know that the Greek Parliament must pass certain measures by Wednesday evening, some of which refer to the last bailout on which they did not follow through. That is the fault of the previous Greek Government. The current Government will have enough to deal with. The agreement is only to allow for detailed talks on a bailout. There are rough figures but the detail has to be worked out and the Finance Ministers must hold a further meeting, so I would counsel caution. I agree with Senator O'Brien that we should have a debate but it would be pointless having one until we have the detail of what the Finance Ministers agree in regard to the bailout.