We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ENDA KENNY HAS so far refused to meet Nicolas Sarkozy in his first 100 days in office despite the French president blocking a reduction in the average interest rate on Ireland’s EU/IMF bailout bailout.
Speaking at Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil yesterday, Kenny said that he would meet with Sarkozy in “due course and at the appropriate time” despite reports from France, quoted by Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin, that Sarkozy’s officials were amazed that the Taoiseach had yet to go to Paris to discuss the interest rate.
Martin said that since the election, Kenny’s office could not even confirm that he had spoken to the French president on the phone and that since taking office, Kenny had held only one bilateral meeting with another European leader involved in the funding package, UK prime minister David Cameron.
He accused the Taoiseach of a “hands-off policy” and called on Kenny to meet face-to-face with leaders who are “standing in the way of delivering the better terms everyone agrees are required”.
Responding, Kenny said that Ireland had always enjoyed good relations with its European counterparts but accused the previous administration of letting that slip with a “decade of non-attendance and non-participation and an arrogant assumption that this country was on top of the pile and would stay there.”
He described the country’s relationship with European partners as “nothing short of disgraceful” because of this.
Responding to that assertion, a source for Fianna Fáil told the Irish Examiner that a small number of meetings were missed by former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and Martin, when he was Minister for Foreign Affairs, for personal reasons.
The source added that meetings were also missed because of the removal of pairing arrangments by the then Fine Gael and Labour opposition which meant that Fianna Fáil ministers had to be present for Dáil votes.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
So we just roll over and accept generations of debt ?
Best to just take the pain now and get it over with.. quiet inevitable sadly.
A unilateral default = slashing public sector wages and social welfare by a third overnight. There’d be riots on the streets with the likes of Eirigi taking their opportunity as the ‘blue flue’ strikes the Gardai.
I kind of understand why no sensible politician is so quick to jump for that option.
think Ireland should still back out of undeerwriting the banks – yes this would set of another bust , but we are so bust now and for years to come overall it won’t make that much difference. Write off the banks and start again, with a new bank that the citizens can trust, is run transparently and with new employment contracts, no bonuses, limited higher limit earnings etc. – You know like any other job !
Great idea of course but it’ll never happen.. The political leadership ofthis country are so frightened of l appearing to rock the European boat that they’ll do exactly what they are told like good little paddys..as for noonan saying senior bondholders are to receive a haircut this is either an attempt to bluff an interest rate cut from the troika or cynical attempt to garner some positive publicity for the hundred day milestone fg set for themselves..now they wouldn’t do that would they??
The power of money is imense and if the citizens remove thier own personal money – I know businesses can’t do this, but ordinary citizens can take thier money out of the accounts, this would make the government listen to its people – a run on the banks would be benefitical to citizens in closing these still banks and ensuring a new banking systems starts. The solution is not always in the sole hands of the government.
have your say