Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

My first question is on country-specific recommendations in their totality. I read a statistic, although I cannot remember where, that 85% of all country-specific recommendations have not been acted upon. I am sure the statistic is incorrect, even though I cannot provide the correct one. However, the existence of such a statistic has led me to question whether the process has merit and wonder to what extent country-specific recommendations are a wish list. In Ireland's case, most of the recommendations are the same as last year.

My next question is on the banking sector. Mr. Moscovici mentioned four issues, which included the banking sector and our failure to deal with legacy debt. The CSRs were issued before the Government made its most recent announcement of further changes to the mortgage arrears scenario, particularly the removal of the bank veto. In other words, individual banks no longer have the ability to effectively refuse an arrangement going forward. Does the Commissioner have a view on the Government's most recent changes to the process? Has it changed his opinion of the specific recommendation?

My third question echoes some of the concerns expressed by my colleague, Deputy Boyd Barrett. I refer to the fact that we are continuing to remove money from an economy that needs investment. I was surprised that this year's CSRs did not mention the specific deficit in the construction sector. I refer to the construction and housing sector and the specific difficulties we have, particularly in urban areas, with regard to access to housing. I was surprised that the matter did not feature in the CSRs this year.

Like many people, I believe that a potential British exit from the EU is one of the most significant threats facing the Irish economy. The Commissioner mentioned some of the growth figures expected for Europe over the next number of years. Some people have pointed out that because 40% of Ireland's trade is with the United Kingdom and its economy has grown significantly, Britain has therefore saved Ireland and contributed to Ireland's impressive growth rates.

In terms of a British exit, Mr. David Cameron has indicated that competitiveness is one of the major challenges leading his particular desire for reform. Europe's share of the world output is projected to fall by about one third in the next two decades. Can the Commissioner comment on the impact on Ireland of a potential British exit and on what Mr. David Cameron has said in respect of Europe's failures to tackle competitiveness?