Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I support the communautaire method very strongly, as does Deputy Martin. I have made the point to him on many occasions that I would prefer to see this process based on the communautaire method. There was a sense of frustration here - to a great extent on the part of some people - that all of these bilateral meetings should take place. I do not object to bilateral meetings, but this is about the communautaire method on which the European Union was founded, about co-operation, support and solidarity.

Of course the ECB is central to that broader process, but it was not central to the discussions about the wording of the treaty and the fiscal compact. I made the point at several of the Council meetings prior to the one at the end of January that in respect of the ECB, this should be the end or back stop in terms of the capacity to provide sufficient financial firewalls. That was supported by several member states but was an issue for comment and discussion rather for decision. The question of broadening out the debate was raised at the meetings prior to that at the end of January. That is why the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, accepted the premise that growth and jobs should be central to the agenda. It broadened out beyond that when the President of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso, produced a paper, as did I, the Austrian Chancellor and several others. That discussion will continue. For instance, the issue of youth unemployment was raised. Youth unemployment in Spain stands at 50% and in Ireland at 29%. The figures differ depending on the particular circumstances of each country.

I have made it clear that this treaty is not a solution to Europe's problems, rather it is part of the process of arriving at a solution. Fianna Fáil supports fiscal discipline, properly run budgets and having the country's financial affairs in order, which is where we must go. Clearly, the challenges for us are in respect of our own public finances and dealing with the technicalities on the promissory note, which would ease Ireland's position in respect of its deficit and capacity to repay its debts. We are working on that.

As the Deputy correctly pointed out, we need to broaden the debate on issues such as how we are to ensure the European Union lives up to its potential and the future response of the Central Bank now that politicians in Greece and the ECOFIN Ministers have signed off on the deal for Greece, which presents us with a new opportunity for the future. These are issues on which I would welcome the Deputy's comments. The Deputy can take it that the debate will be broader and more focused on the future.

It was pointed out to me the other day that by the early 2020s, approximately 500,000 engineers will be required in the European Union. We should be focusing on what it is this country can do to play its part in providing answers to the economic challenges coming at us.

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