Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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46. To ask the Taoiseach if he has been in contact with the Greek Prime Minister since he promised a referendum in Greece; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27064/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Some hours after the conclusion of the last meeting of the European Council on 26 June Prime Minister Tsipras announced his intention to hold a referendum on 5 July. I received a letter from the Prime Minister on 28 June, in which he asked for Ireland's support in extending the financial assistance arrangements for his country under the European Financial Stability Facility. Similar letters were received by Heads of State and Government in the other Euro Area Member States.

I replied to Prime Minister Tsipras the following day, expressing Ireland's deep empathy for Greece and its people and our continuing support for a mutually acceptable outcome that could help to end the current crisis. I made clear my regret that the decision by the Greek Government to withdraw from Eurogroup negotiations meant it had not been possible to reach an agreement, as set out in the Eurogroup statement of 27 June

Although I have had no further contact with Prime Minister Tsipras since the exchange of those letters, I will meet him again later today at the Special Euro Summit in Brussels.

I note the outcome of the referendum held in Greece on 5 July. It is my hope that the Greek Government will now put forward proposals which provide a real basis for renewed negotiations with fellow euro area Member States and the institutions with a view to providing certainty for the Greek people and returning stability to their economy. I hope today's Euro Summit will succeed in agreeing a framework for such discussions. Ireland will continue to engage actively in all efforts to reach a successful conclusion.