THERE WAS a general European acceptance of the need for fiscal discipline, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said yesterday.

“We are measuring up to the conditions of our programme,” he added.

“However, I do not want anyone to lose sight of the fact that while we have come some of the way, there remains a long way to go.” Mr Kenny said that the marker for Ireland was a return to the bond markets.

“We do not want that stymied or prevented or for there to be any loss of understanding of just how much encouragement and further assistance a country like ours needs as we proceed,” he added.

Independent TD Shane Ross said it was important that Ireland was not perceived as “the good poster boy” of Europe who was abiding by the rules imposed by the IMF-EU and not getting involved in any of the great arguments taking place.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said that if Greek sovereign bondholders were being burned, widespread recapitalisation of banks would have to be undertaken.

“This represents the first and probably only opportunity we will get to force bondholders to share the burden in Ireland,” he added.

Mr Martin said that unlike other governments, Mr Kenny had not told the Dáil or the people about Ireland’s negotiating position or what was being proposed.

“The Bundestag is receiving a very detailed presentation on exactly what is being discussed,” he added.

“Yet all we have heard from you and members of the Government are vague generalities . . . that you expect everything to be all right on the night.” Mr Kenny said German chancellor Angela Merkel had to have the authorisation of the Bundestag for any agreement beyond what had already been approved in September.

He said the Government was attempting to negotiate a reduction in Ireland’s debt burden.

“We are not Greece; we are not in the same position as Greece,” he said.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the Government was forcing impoverished Irish people to pay the debts of private bankers.