Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the contingency plan he and his officials have drawn up on the possibility of Greece leaving the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27062/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Greece remains a full member of the euro area and it is in all our interests that this continues to be the case. However, as a member of the euro area, each Member State has obligations, and this is no different for Greece. 

The second economic adjustment programme for Greece expired on 30 June and all associated financing attached has also expired. Any agreement at this stage would likely be in the form of a new programme with associated conditionality. It is in everyone's interest that an agreement is reached.

Following the result of Sunday's referendum in Greece, I hope that the Greek Government will continue discussions with fellow Member States in an effort to provide certainty for the Greek people and return stability to their economy. Ireland will continue to engage in an effort to reach a successful conclusion to any negotiations.

I will attend the Eurogroup (euro area Finance Ministers) today, where we will take stock of developments and listen to the new Greek Finance Minister. Subsequently the Taoiseach will attend the meeting of the euro area Heads of State or Government (the Euro Summit).

I am hopeful that a way forward can be found and that Greece remains in the euro area. Having said that, my officials have contingency plans in place for a number of eventualities, including the possibility of Greece leaving the euro area. In this regard, it is worth highlighting that the euro area's institutional framework has been strengthened significantly in recent years, as is evident from that the fact that the market reaction to recent developments has been relatively muted; in other words, contagion has been limited.

Finally, I would also point out that I recently met with the Governor of the Central Bank to discuss the situation, while the Governor and the Head of the NTMA recently briefed the Economic Management Council on emerging developments.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the proposition to increase the value added tax on tourism in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27065/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Any programme between Greece and its creditors must be based on credible, growth-friendly measures that strike an appropriate balance between fiscal consolidation on the one hand and supporting economic recovery on the other hand. 

My primary objective therefore is that, if a programme can be negotiated, there is ownership by the authorities and the measures implemented are as growth-friendly as possible.

In terms of the specific measures I would, of course, support appropriate levels of flexibility, as was the case in the Irish programme. I would be strongly supportive of the view of the Institutions (Commission, ECB and IMF) that measures are required to tackle the underlying problems of weak tax collection and poor levels of tax compliance. This is one of the reasons for the situation that Greece now finds itself in and addressing this structural problem must be part of any solution.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that there has been enough engagement between the European Union and the Greek Government on dealing with its debt issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27066/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Discussions regarding the Greek programme, its financing needs and the sustainability of its debt take place at the euro area level, involving Finance Ministers (the Eurogroup).

The Eurogroup in its statement of November 2012 committed to considering further measures and assistance (including inter alia lower co-financing in structural funds and/or further interest rate reductions on the Greek Loan Facility) to achieve a further credible and sustainable reduction of Greek debt-to-GDP ratio; this was conditional upon Greece achieving an annual primary surplus as well as on full implementation of all conditions contained in the (second) programme.

As I have said on numerous occassions,  I have great sympathy for the Greek people and I along with my euro area colleagues have worked to help the Greek authorities to move to a position whereby realistic negotiations were taking place up to 26th June.

Unfortunately, the Greek authorities unilaterally withdrew from negotiations before agreement could be reached or the issue of debt was discussed or agreed upon by the Eurogroup. 

I note the results from Sunday's Referendum in Greece.

I hope that following this result the Greek Government will continue to engage in discussions with fellow Member States in an effort to provide certainty for the Greek people and return stability to their economy. Ireland will continue to engage in an effort to reach a successful conclusion to any negotiations.