“The conduct of a number of EU governments over the past number of weeks has been alarming,” president of Irish republican party Sinn Fein and member of the Irish Dail (parliament) Gerry Adams said on the outcome of the European Union summit, which ended Greece submitting to a harsh deal.
“They have effectively closed down the Greek banking system and held the Greek Government and people to ransom.
“To its shame the Irish Government took the side of the strong against those in need of support and solidarity. It is obscene for Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil to lecture the Greek people while generations of Irish people will be paying off debts that are not of their making ...
“Today could well be the day when all pretence of a Europe of equal states and people was lost and replaced by a Europe of the powerful and the wealthy.”
Sinn Féin member of the European Parliament for the Midlands North West and Member of the European Parliament Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee Matt Carthy said that the shameful treatment of Greece by Eurozone leaders has destroyed public confidence in the EU itself.
Carthy said: “The treatment of the Greek Government over the past weeks has laid bare for all to see the complete abandonment of the fundamental principles on which the EU was supposedly founded.
“The disrespect shown to the mandate obtained by the Greek government and the wishes of the Greek people will be, for many people across Europe, the clear indication that the EU is no longer a champion of democracy or human rights but has steadily become a set of institutions which protect the powerful vested interests at the expense of ordinary citizens and even member states.
“The complete lack of solidarity shown by the Irish Government to the Greek people has turned the stomachs of many of our citizens and, in my view, is a betrayal of the spirit of the Irish people.
“It is clear that the Irish Government, in colluding with the bully boys of Europe, has acted with a narrow domestic political agenda at the expense of democracy, humanity, decency and even the best interests of the Irish people.
“It is not unreasonable to assume that the treatment of Greece will further increase the growing disillusionment with the EU among citizens across Europe and may increase the likelihood of a British Exit from the EU, which would have devastating consequences for Ireland.
“I firmly believe that this process will be remembered for generations to come as the day the illusion of a Europe of Equals was shattered once and for all.”
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