Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are not in disagreement with that.

Deputy Durkan made a point about solidarity. The European Union is built on the concept of solidarity. I tend to take the more positive view. The decisions made in June and October are clear demonstrations of solidarity. The decision to proceed with banking union and the decision in October in regard to timelines to complete the legislative framework by the end of the year is a positive signal in regard to solidarity.

To respond to Deputy Keaveney, we have suspended aid payments to the Ugandan Government for reasons other than the one raised by the Deputy. The issue of the legislation which is being considered in Uganda on gay people is a matter we have already raised with the authorities there. I raised it directly with the President of Uganda and with a number of members of the Ugandan Government. I expect it will be pursued at European Union level.

Deputy Crowe raised the issue of the multi-annual financial framework. We need to reflect on what is in the glass when talking about the multi-annual financial framework and the European Union budget. The Cyprus Presidency proposed a €50 billion reduction on what had originally been proposed by the Commission.

However, we need to bear in mind that the Commission originally proposed €1,033 billion for the European Union budget for the period up to 2020. By any standards, this is a sizeable sum of money. While it is our position that we support the Commission's proposal and oppose reductions to it, we also need to recognise that the taxpayers of Europe provide a substantial sum of money for a common European Union budget to be used to promote initiatives for jobs and growth, support agriculture, the regions, innovation, research and education and training, develop infrastructure throughout Europe and do the many things we need to do in common in Europe.

We are pressing for the regions to receive funding. Declines in GDP, increases in unemployment and high levels of youth unemployment are factors and criteria that should be taken into account on the basis of the most up-to-date figures available rather than on sets of figures dating back some years.