Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015
225. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the situation in Greece; if the Government is concerned that Greece may default and-or possibly exit the euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16220/15]
View answerFollowing circulation of an Aide Memoire and a list of Prior Actions to the Greek authorities in the first week of June and a subsequent meeting between Prime Minister Tsipras, European Commission President Juncker and Eurogroup President Dijsselbloem to discuss the proposal, it seemed like both sides were moving closer together.
However following submission of Greek counter proposals on 12th June it was clear that there has been a complete rowing back on the Greek side.
Attempts at a technical level to make progress concluded with no agreement.
As a result, an additional Eurogroup meeting and Informal Euro Summit were called on 22 June 2015 in Brussels. The purpose of these meetings was to exchange views on Greece and clarify the positions and the situation in the ongoing talks between the Greek authorities and the Institutions.
A revised list of counter proposals was submitted by the Greek authorities yesterday leaving no time to assess them prior to the meetings. The Greek authorities will now work with the Institutions to agree a comprehensive list of reforms and a list of prior actions by tomorrow that can be presented to the Eurogroup.
The euro area has an obligation to Greece in these difficult times but Greece has an obligation to itself. It needs to reform the economy and return it to sustainable growth.
Ireland, together with the other Member States, understands and empathises with the difficult situation faced by the Greek people. This is why there has been a willingness to negotiate a way forward which takes account of the realities of the situation in Greece and the political priorities of its new Government, while also respecting existing commitments.
Even at this very late stage, there is still time for a deal to be agreed - but Greece must put reasonable proposals on the table. It is still in everyone's interest that agreement is reached. We have already seen backtracking on previous reforms and this is unacceptable. The Member States and institutions are working in good faith - Greece must do so also.
The situation of Greece's finances is very challenging with immediate financing needs to be addressed. In addition, deposit outflows have continued from the banking system. Therefore, urgent agreement on the necessary structural reforms is imperative to conclude the 5th review and release the associated disbursements.
Direct trade and financial linkage between Ireland and Greece are small, therefore the risk to the Irish economy are second round in nature. If turbulence in Greece results in a slowdown in the EU economy then this could have a knock effect on the Irish economy given our openness to trade.
