Irish PM attacks Greece

Mr Kenny was speaking ahead of the leaders' summit in Brussels and a key meeting of the Greek government with leaders of France, Germany and key EU leaders late last night, aimed at hammering out new debt payment arrangements.

The Taoiseach's comments also came just after a meeting of the EU political grouping, the European People's Party, which includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mr Kenny said everyone respected Greece's position and need to fight its corner.

"But there is a difference between political debate and disagreement and threats relating to political jihadists in Europe. And that is not acceptable," Mr Kenny said. This was a clear reference to the leader of the minority party in the Greek coalition government, Panos Kammenos, who earlier this month warned Greece will unleash a "wave of millions of economic migrants" and jihadists on Europe unless the eurozone backs down on austerity demands.

The Taoiseach brushed aside suggestions that Ireland was being blocked out of the latest wave of eurozone talks with Greece. Mr Kenny said the outcome of the meeting with leaders from France, Germany, the EU Commission, the European Central Bank, and the eurozone chairman, would be brought back to the leaders' summit later today.

But Mr Kenny's statement on Greece's situation was blunt: "Greece and the Greeks have got to face up to their responsibilities here. The ball is in their court. The prime minister (Alexis Tsipras) asked for time and space and he has been given that to come forward with sustainable solutions and workable proposals.

"Obviously, Greece needs to reflect on that very quickly now because time is running out."