Taoiseach Brian Cowen Yesterday Stressed the Importance to Ireland of Helping Greece Get out of It Present Economic Difficulties to Stabilise the Euro, as Eurozone Leaders Agreed to Create a Safety Net for the Debt-Stricken Country

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Giving Greece 250m sends a message to the market -- Cowen

currency

Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor in Brussels

Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday stressed the importance to Ireland of helping Greece get out of it present economic difficulties to stabilise the euro, as eurozone leaders agreed to create a safety net for the debt-stricken country.

Mr Cowen said Ireland "will of course play our part in this collective effort" of all 16 eurozone countries backing the financial plan to help Greece.

The Taoiseach has pledged to loan anything up to 250m to Greece, if needed, as part of an EU financial bailout, despite the country's own budgetary …