Defining endgame approaches - Greek debt crisis

AS our economic recovery continues apace, as we fret over changing our Constitution to allow same-sex marriage and allowing last summer’s minor hurlers challenge for the presidency the crisis around Greek debt and the country’s position in Europe approaches something like an endgame — an endgame that casts an ever-darkening shadow right across Europe.

Reflecting how very close we are to that make-or-break crossroads the euro fell across the board on Tuesday, as details emerged on a European Central Bank proposal to increase the insurance it would demand in return for emergency funding to Greek banks.

Whichever way you look at it things seem more than grim for the people of Greece, a battered population that has endured life-changing cuts to incomes and services over the last few years. And, terribly hard as it may seem, there may be worse ahead.