Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassador to the meeting and wish his government every success during its Presidency.

The European Commission is winding down between now and 2014. Certain issues will be parked by Commissioners because they know they will not have them dealt with by the end of June 2014, while others will be prioritised. Has Lithuania any concerns about these issues?

Another issue that needs to be tackled is youth unemployment across Europe. While economic growth is important, dealing with youth unemployment is a far slower process.

Over the next six months and in particular over the next 12 months, does the ambassador see any way this issue can be fast tracked as regards trying to deal with that issue in each individual state? I know each state has its contribution as well as assistance from Europe.

The other issue of importance from an Irish perspective is the EU trade agreement with the US. How does the ambassador see that progressing over the next six months and 12 months because it is very important from both an Irish and European perspective because the growth of exports to the US is important for us? While much progress has been made over the past 12 months and two years on a number of key areas like CAP reform and the budgetary issue, there are still major challenges facing Europe. Youth unemployment is one issue facing us with which we need to deal very quickly from now on.