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"Coalitions are the norm, that's the route that should be followed."

Noonan urges Greek parties to form government and stay in the euro

Attending a summit in Brussels, Michael Noonan says it is “very important that the eurozone stays intact”.

THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE has urged the leaders of Greece’s political parties to resolve their differences and form a coalition, so that the country can do whatever it needs to remain in the eurozone.

Michael Noonan told reporters in Brussels that he would encourage the parties in Greece – which are today holding their eighth day of talks in an effort to form a governing coalition after elections last week – to form a government without delay.

“Elections can throw up strange results at times, and then the political parties have an obligation to form a government,” the minister said.

“I’d encourage them [... to] pledge to implement the [bailout] programme with whatever variations they think are necessary.”

Asked if he would support such moves if it meant needing to bring Greece out of the eurozone, however, Noonan said it was “very important that the eurozone stays intact” and he would not favour seeing it leave.

Noonan declined to comment on the possibility of Greece having to leave the single currency, saying merely that any “adverse comment from the outside” would not be helpful for the country as it tried to end its political impasse.

“My view is that Greece should continue to stay in the euro, and any support I can give them at the meetings over the next two days to achieve that objective, I will do so.

“But they have to set their own house in order,” Noonan warned, remarking that the current problems facing the country were neither economic nor fiscal, but political.

“I don’t think a new election helps them – why have it all over again?” the minister wondered. “Coalitions are the norm, that’s the route that should be followed.”

Noonan is in Brussels to attend a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers today, and of the EU’s finance ministers tomorrow.

Greece: Syriza out of talks, second election likely

Money: Markets fall across Europe as Spain sells off €2.9bn of bonds

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52 Comments
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    Mute Ciaran O Connell
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    Feb 15th 2016, 1:01 PM

    And the groom’s are not? Maybe this could be a lucky escape for some

    118
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    Mute Luke Kelly
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    Feb 15th 2016, 2:13 PM

    Why would the grooms be distressed? Shure their only props.

    50
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    Mute Johnnie Sexton
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    Feb 15th 2016, 2:38 PM

    As far as weddings go I sympathies for the unfortunate inconvenience this has but I have more sympathy for the staff who have lost their jobs. Wonder if the banks that some staff may have mortgages with will give them a break… I doubt it. Hotels shouldn’t be allowed to treat ANY ONE like this.

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    Mute bazhealy
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    Feb 15th 2016, 3:26 PM

    Grant Thornton must have made a bleeding fortune from this recession. Seems like they are receivers for anything that goes bang since 2007. Official sponsors of Ireland’s misery.

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Feb 15th 2016, 1:01 PM

    Lucky break for the Grooms

    34
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    Mute Brendan
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    Feb 15th 2016, 12:51 PM

    Are you still milking this story journal!

    Come on look out your window I’m sure you could report on how many walk past, even do a poll see if people think there’s way to many resulting in distracting the journalists hard at work lol

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    Mute Rosie Murray
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    Feb 15th 2016, 12:55 PM

    Relax there now…. The title said ‘brides’ distressed….:/

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    Mute Marg murphy
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    Feb 15th 2016, 1:57 PM

    Jeez nobody died here. They’d want to get over their distress and move on.

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    Mute Gary Doolin
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    Feb 15th 2016, 2:26 PM

    It’s all relative

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    Mute Minon
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    Feb 15th 2016, 1:45 PM

    Frist world problem…

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    Mute Dinneen's Dictionary
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    Feb 15th 2016, 2:22 PM

    And the GROOMS? Presumably they are also feeling GRUAMA?

    gruama, a., gloomy, sad, morose, despondant, sombre …

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    Mute Gary Doolin
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    Feb 15th 2016, 2:26 PM

    if you have to explain the joke….

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    Mute Dinneen's Dictionary
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    Feb 15th 2016, 7:00 PM

    It’s for the benefit of the monoglots.
    You’ll also notice that dictionaries tend to define things in words. Sort of the point of them.

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    Mute Martin Dunphy
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    Feb 15th 2016, 2:29 PM

    Sad nice hotel was at a wedding there a while back.

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    Mute Phelim O'Shaughnessy McDonagh
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    Feb 15th 2016, 4:42 PM

    Punctuate. Christ.

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    Mute sheedyv
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    Feb 15th 2016, 8:37 PM

    New hotel opening in Killaloe Co Clare May 2016, The Killaloe Hotel & Spa!

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    Mute Aine Foley
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    Feb 16th 2016, 2:05 AM

    If there are any brides or grooms out there:
    Firstly, I do not work for or have any financial gain.
    Please try Blackwater Castle in Castletownroche, Co Cork. Sheila and Patrick are wonderfully kind.
    Hope this helps.
    Best of luck.

    2
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