Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty has called on Irish political parties to back the new Syriza-led government in Athens - and to support its calls for a European Debt Conference to discuss the restructuring of debt across Europe.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Doherty discussed the broad issue of the current debt-burden in Europe: "We can either deal with this now - or pretend that it will magically go away," he said, adding, "This is the time to strike."
He posed the question: "Do we want to get in on this, do we want to be part of this?" - saying that failure to back calls for debt restructuring could result in the EU making an agreement to address Greece's debt burden, but not Ireland's.
Speaking in response to a question asked by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams in the Dáil, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that the government would not support calls for a European Debt Conference, saying: "It is not for Ireland to interfere in the issues raised in the context of a general election in another country.”
While Pearse Doherty welcomed the Greek result, he said that he felt that it was unfortunate that it is a Greek party and not an Irish government pushing for these European reforms.
"I was very encouraged last night, and very excited last night - seeing that Syriza won the election." Mr Doherty said. "But it's also sad that we are glued to the television to see a Greek part being elected - to see that they will for the first time, table something at the The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) that is in Irish interests."
He continued: "It's sad that we don't have a government ourselves, that has acted in Irish interests over the last number of years - and who are still unwilling to do so today."
Mr Doherty had particular praise for the fact that Syriza came to power on a platform that was calling on debt restructuring across all of the EU and not just calling for concessions to address Greece's particular problems: "That is the kind of pro-European policy that you need - pro-European policies that benefit people, and not just the markets."
He continued to point out that "Greece is different" to Ireland; the country is carrying a higher debt-burden than other bailed-out European states.
The Donegal South-West TD reiterated that Sinn Féin fully supports Ireland staying in the EU, and the euro zone.
