Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Europe, as the Taoiseach is aware, wants to play its part in regard to Kyoto and so on and we can lead by example. Obviously, Europe, as a group of countries interested in this matter, will need to make contact with the Far Eastern countries where there are huge coal fired stations in operation. Was that matter discussed?

On 5 March, Eurochambers published its economic analysis which stated that the US had reached European GDP levels 30 years ago and that we are lagging way behind in terms of the competitiveness of our economy. The theory behind the Lisbon Agenda was that by 2010 the European Union would be the most competitive economy. The Taoiseach and I know we have not measured up in that regard. If one includes Bulgaria and Romania in the figures the gap is much wider. At the round table discussions with the Heads of State was there agreement to revise the Lisbon Agenda or a realisation that we are not as competitive as the US economy? Despite the fact that a sizeable number of jobs were created throughout Europe we are still not where we were supposed to be when the Heads of Government signed off on this in 2000? Did any realistic discussion take place in terms of revising the Lisbon Agenda to bring us to a stage where we can measure up to targets we can actually achieve?

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