Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I might begin at the end. Will the Minister address the apparent contradiction between the German and French positions on the future role of the European Central Bank in responding to rising unemployment in Europe?

One reason for tabling the question is the original Lisbon accord's legacy of neglect of competitiveness and cohesion. Given the long-standing French influence on competitive space, France's neglect of the cohesion aspect of the accord has emphasised the importance of mediating institutions. Highly unaccountable institutions involved in speculative rather than productive versions of the economy were enabled to run riot with a type of wild capitalism, while the mediating institutions of state regulation or partnership were neglected. When President Sarkozy stops lecturing us on where we should go, will the preparations for the forthcoming Council meeting include an employment strategy involving state initiatives?

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