Leader to support better Irish bank deal

The leader of the German Greens has said her European party colleagues will support a better bank deal for Ireland.

Rebecca Harms MEP and leader of the Greens/Free Alliance told the Green Foundation Ireland (GFI) summer school in Wexford that German chancellor Angela Merkel’s response to the euro crisis as “too little too late”.

“Ireland has been a stronger country than others during the crisis. We see Ireland as a nation with a history of overcoming adversity. The Germans feel that Ireland has the strength to draw itself out of the swamp,” Ms Harms said.

She said the German Greens would argue for a better deal for Ireland with debt-for- equity swaps and lengthening the IRBC’s repayment terms.

“The Greens in Europe are ready to support all things which can help keep Europe, not only the euro, together.

Former Green Party chairman Dan Boyle is a director of GFI. Former Green MEP Nuala Ahern is its chairwoman.