IRISH AGENDA:TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny is optimistic that European leaders can reach agreement at tomorrow's summit in Brussels and that leaders who need the subsequent approval of their national parliaments will be be able to achieve it.
Speaking on a visit to Cork yesterday, Mr Kenny said: “Our view is the flexibility and facilities available under the EFSF (European Financial Stability Facility) and the decisions taken in July can actually deal with the crisis.
“Clearly, there are differences of opinion between some of the countries here but I do hope that politically on Sunday people can arrive at a number of conclusions, be they about recapitalisation, restructuring or, obviously, the Greek situation,” he said.
He believed it would be possible for agreement to be reached tomorrow in Brussels and for leaders who need to get the backing of their own national parliaments to do so on Monday or Tuesday in time for a second summit meeting on Wednesday.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said: “There is an onus on all of us to come to a workable solution for all countries and the focus should be on immediate action rather than longer-term measures.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said in a statement: “The apparent absence of any strategy or policy position by the Irish Government is deeply worrying.” He added: “The Taoiseach needs to be clear about what approach he is taking to this meeting on our behalf. He ran a successful general election campaign on the basis that ‘Paddy likes to know’ and that he would be upfront and honest about his approach to Europe.
“In the face of the most important European summit since he took up office he has failed completely and utterly to live up to this promise,” Mr Martin said.
Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said: “The Government here is forcing taxpayers to bear the brunt of severe austerity to pay for the mess of the banking crisis. But the banking crisis is a European crisis and needs a European solution.”
Independent TD Stephen Donnelly said: “The private sector needs to accept the losses . . . the same way it receives the profits from good investment decisions.”