Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The informal meeting took place on 30 January. There is no issue between me and President Sarkozy. The last contact I had with him was when he hit me a tap on the shoulder, in response to which Deputy Gerry Adams said I should not be buddying up to the French President on such matters. I have spoken to the French ambassador about a meeting. It is a matter of finding an opportunity to talk to the President in France. That difficulty is compounded by the election process in which he has declared himself to be a candidate. In that context, such a meeting might not be appropriate.

See this speech in context