Murphy now turning on Syriza to promote his own policies at home – O’Donovan

“Paul Murphy’s trips to Athens and his vociferous support for Syriza were only ever about self-promotion and pushing his own agenda at home. His criticism of Syriza today makes that very evident”, says Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael TD for Limerick.

“Now that talks are underway between Greece and the European institutions in an attempt to come to an agreement which would protect the Greek economy, Paul Murphy has turned his back on Syriza.

“Deputy Murphy is advocating for Greece to rupture from the Eurozone and wants them to go it alone. He clearly does not care about the Greek people.

“The Greek Government said on Sunday that voting ‘Oxi’ in the referendum is a vote to stay within the EU. This is the wish of the people, according to the Government. Yet Deputy Murphy does not want the Government to pursue this course, as it doesn’t fit with his own left wing, pay for nothing agenda.

“Paul Murphy has again shown that a vote for an Independent is a vote for the unknown. Last week he was calling for support of the Greek people and this week he is telling them he knows better.

“Paul Murphy was joined in Athens by Sinn Féin’s, Pearse Doherty who was also supporting Syriza. Does Sinn Féin still stand by Syriza as they engage with the European Institutions and work towards a resolution for the Greek People? Or does he too feel that the time has come for Syriza to leave Government?

“This is an extremely difficult time for the people of Greece. The Irish Government wants to support the Greek Government in developing a programme and a strategy that will keep Greece in the Eurozone and put the economy on a course of economic growth and job creation.   This should be the ultimate goal of anyone who is concerned about the people of Greece.”