FF’s IMF call a strange case of déjà vu – Harris

Minister of State at the Department of Finance and Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-East Carlow, Simon Harris, today (Tuesday) welcomed Michael McGrath’s newfound support for Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s efforts to continue to reduce the debt burden on the Irish people.

“It’s a pity Fianna Fáil were unable to find it in their hearts to support the Government’s strategy at the time of our bailout exit last December. However their conversion today to backing efforts to reduce the debt on the Irish public is welcome, if oddly familiar.

“People must have had the strange sensation of déjà vu today listening to Michael McGrath outline the same facts Minister Michael Noonan already did late last month.

“As the Minister said clearly, the Government is already pursuing this matter; he has discussed it with Christine Lagarde and will be discussing it with our EU partners. We have previously been successful in negotiating a deal on the promissory notes, the extension of maturities and the reduction in interest rates and the pursuit of this matter forms part of our ongoing efforts in this area on behalf of the Irish people.

“Fianna Fáil’s belated support is welcome, especially since so much of the Government’s work relates to cleaning up the mess that party left behind it.”