Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for attending the meeting. Picking up on some of the themes raised in his address, the Tánaiste touched on discussions taking place on the future shape of the European monetary and banking union. I ask the Tánaiste to comment on the current situation of Greece, and reaffirm that it is in Ireland's and Europe's interests to ensure Greece continues to be a member of the eurozone and that it is facilitated in dealing with its major difficulties. Some of the discussion that took place a year ago, regarding the idea of Greece leaving the eurozone, was misguided and dangerous. It is essential we find a way of facilitating Greece and allowing it to work through its difficulties while continuing to be a member of the eurozone. That should be made clear.

My second question concerns the situation in the United Kingdom, which the Tánaiste touched upon in terms of the discussions taking place on the multi-annual financial framework, MFF. There is an increasingly strong stance coming from some members of the British political system with regard to a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union and its participation or non-participation in a banking union. We have been successful at riding two horses at the same time, maintaining a close relationship with Britain and deepening political integration with the European Union. The strong statements coming out of the British system are challenging continued deep participation in the European Union. I would appreciate the Tánaiste's views on where that stands and the choices it may present to Ireland in the future. In support of a point made by the Tánaiste with regard to the MFF and the sub-heading of global hunger, having seen the way the money is spent when I visited Malawi, it is of great importance that Ireland supports the value of the sub-heading and ensures the European Union's role in maintaining an increase in nutrition and in fighting global hunger is not affected as a result of these negotiations.