Bank debt deal - A call to action

The Government did not need Siptu president Jack O’Connor to tell them that they are approaching endgame on the €3.1bn payment due next month.

They, however, may have been surprised that Mr O’Connor has called for a ‘Day of Action’ on Saturday week. Speaking at an event to commemorate the 66th anniversary of lockout leader Jim Larkin’s death, he said it is time to send a message to Europe that we cannot accept the current terms around the bank debt.

This demonstration shows solidarity with the efforts of Government to secure a deal. If a member of Government took part, it would show solidarity with the society bearing the brunt of the deal’s consequences. After all, Government will have no one else to turn to if the ECB rejects their call for sustainable terms.