Updated 19.59pm

“IRELAND WILL SHOW solidarity with Greece as I think all EU countries should,” said Minister for Marine, Food and Agriculture Simon Coveney. 

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics the minister said he understands Greece is not asking for debt forgiveness, but is looking to renegotiate how it manages its debt.

Renegotiations 

He said there are ways for Greece to renegotiate. “We can be constructive in helping Greece.”

Ireland changed the rules when we renegotiated.

Conveney said there is a question of fairness and equality in what deals are struck with other nations.

He said any deal negotiated with Greece should be applied to Ireland, if possible, and if it gets the country a “better deal”.

The minister said Ireland does need to be aware if something is renegotiated, and if it can apply to Ireland.

Change in attitude to debt conference 

Independent TD Finian McGrath questioned the change of attitude of the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan this week on holding a debt conference. This week he said one was not necessary.

Kostas Chrysogonas, from the Syriza Party who is on an official visit to Dublin, says a Eurozone debt conference is necessary for the EU to remain economically stable.

Greece has said it is preparing a plan for managing the transition to a new debt deal.

Fianna Fáil’s Micheal McGrath said what the government should be doing now is putting in an application to the ESM for retroactive bank recapitalisation for Ireland.

“We still have an outstanding issue of bank debt.”

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