Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Different countries would have a different perspective on the Stability and Growth Pact. The difficulties arise not in the rules but in the implementation of the rules. Certain countries look for flexibility in the implementation of the rules. The two calls on the table at present is that extra security spending in European countries to combat terrorism should be exempt from the rules and should be an addition to any other spending by European countries. A similar case is being made for funding to deal with the problems arising from migration across Europe. Countries that are on the front line of receiving migrants across their borders should have the flexibility to discount the investments they are making in providing for migrants. There is a number of issues like that.