Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, together.

While I do not yet have any formal plans for meetings on the margins of this week's Council meeting, I expect to have informal discussions with my European Council colleagues while I am in Brussels. Prior to the Council meeting, I will attend a meeting of the European Liberal Democrat Party at which a number of my European Council colleagues will be in attendance. This week's meeting of the Council will focus on economic policy matters and external relations. We will reach agreement on limited treaty change to provide for a new permanent crisis mechanism. We will receive a report from President Van Rompuy on his consultations with member states in this regard.

The European Council will be informed of ongoing work on the evaluation of the European Union's relations with its strategic partners, including the United States, Russia and China. Ireland has been making major trade visits to China for over 12 years. Bilateral trade has increased substantially as a result. We enjoy excellent relations with China, not least in the cultural sphere. Two years ago, I led a wide-ranging trade mission to China. In the course of discussions in recent months, the Chinese Premier and a senior Chinese official indicated they would welcome a further visit in 2011. Our embassy has been following that up with the Chinese authorities but no firm arrangements have been finalised.

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