DUBLIN, May 8 (Reuters) - Ireland's government would like to see a multilateral approach to renegotiating its bailout deal with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a senior government minister said on Sunday.
Pat Rabbitte, the energy minister, also said he personally would like to see Ireland's debt rescheduled and said there could be positive implications for Ireland from Greece's latest crisis.
'Quite frankly the (interest) rate on Ireland must be reduced and in my view own the debt must also be rescheduled but that's another issue,' Rabbitte told state broadcaster RTE.
'The thing I am interested in is whether there are positive implications for Ireland about dealing with the situation the Greek government now confronts.
'The Irish governemnt intends for the duration of the programme to continue to negotiate improvements and to take advantage of developments elsewhere in the hope that there will be a multi-lateral approach to renegotiating (the) bailout.'
(Reporting by Carmel Crimmins; Editing by Hans Peters) Keywords: IRELAND DEBT/ (carmel.crimmins@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: carmel.crimmins.reuters.com@reuters.net; +353 1 500 1529) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Pat Rabbitte, the energy minister, also said he personally would like to see Ireland's debt rescheduled and said there could be positive implications for Ireland from Greece's latest crisis.
'Quite frankly the (interest) rate on Ireland must be reduced and in my view own the debt must also be rescheduled but that's another issue,' Rabbitte told state broadcaster RTE.
'The thing I am interested in is whether there are positive implications for Ireland about dealing with the situation the Greek government now confronts.
'The Irish governemnt intends for the duration of the programme to continue to negotiate improvements and to take advantage of developments elsewhere in the hope that there will be a multi-lateral approach to renegotiating (the) bailout.'
(Reporting by Carmel Crimmins; Editing by Hans Peters) Keywords: IRELAND DEBT/ (carmel.crimmins@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: carmel.crimmins.reuters.com@reuters.net; +353 1 500 1529) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.