Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

As Deputies know, I spent a lot of time lecturing on public administration and it is interesting to read the debates on the creation of ICC and ACC to see how relevant those debates are to the current situation. Deputy Costello is right, the banking system has gone through an extraordinarily fiery period. The banks drew this on their own heads, greed rather than prudence drove many banking decisions. The Deputy mentioned Royal Bank of Scotland drawing down some of the funds already. Given that corporation's history, I would not use it as a model but I see the point. Is it not extraordinary, as we both agree, although Sinn Féin would not agree, that on this occasion rather than taking money out of banks, something Sinn Féin is more familiar with than most of us, we are willing to provide support through the banking system for small and medium enterprises?

On the Lisbon treaty, my door is open, I am willing to talk to anyone, including those who oppose us. Information should flow but we are still working on texts. There is no desire to withhold information and I am willing to provide briefings for Deputies. We did this successfully in the second Nice referendum, although I accept we were less successful during the first Lisbon campaign. In preparation, however, we should have more direct co-operation. Co-operation will flow as soon as we have a text, there is no point in talking before then.

I believe, given the circumstances, that the Czech Presidency has been successful to date. It was always made clear that the major priority in the first half of the Czech Presidency, until the spring Council, would be the economic crisis and institutional issues related to Lisbon would be taken in the second half.

I was inclined to the Deputy's point of view when it turned out that the summit on jobs was in effect a troika plus social partners. The point can fairly be made that there was a special meeting of the Heads of Government on 1 March and a spring Council. An excessive number of formal summits can be counter-productive because it is hard to see how we can produce decisions that will dramatically change from those made four weeks earlier. Meetings between the troika that acts as the driving force in the EU and social partners are a new format and might be a good one. There could be a lot of benefit from a more flexible format than the traditional summit. European summits are highly institutionalised and formalised and a smaller arrangement will facilitate more informal changes. It could have the beneficial effect the Deputy is seeking.

Deputies mentioned the Middle East peace process. This was discussed at the Foreign Ministers element of the summit meeting and last Thursday and Friday at the Gymnich meeting in the Czech Republic. One of the main concerns at the meeting was the lack of progress and the failure to open the border crossing points. I met with Mr. John Ging, as Members did on the previous day, and was able to brief him on our concerns. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, has also made his concerns clear. It is again a pity that Deputy Ó Snodaigh, having asked the question, has found it necessary to leave the House.

Ireland's position on this matter has been firm and clear that the two-state solution is the way forward. Europe's interaction with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian governing authorities will be determined by their performance. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is the lead proponent at EU Council meetings, and elsewhere, for the bilateral approach and that Europe needs to drive the solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I have repeatedly made the point that ghettoising, or imprisoning, an entire population is the worst way to create the conditions for peace. If there is any lesson that comes from history, it must be that the collective punishment, such as that visited on the Palestinian people, is counterproductive. It is surprising and disappointing that the Israeli State has not recognised this point.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh wilfully ignores the fact that Europe is the leading provider of support to the Palestinian people. Europe has been the leading advocate of peace, democracy and human rights in the entire region. There have been vigorous contributions from myself, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, even at official level, about the concerns commonly shared by the Irish people on the Middle East and the condition of the people in Gaza.

I thank Members for their contributions. The Taoiseach earlier said he would have stayed for the entire debate but events meant he was taken away from us.

The recent EU Council summit was significant and occurred at a critical time when the world is mired in an unprecedented economic and financial crisis. Yet again, it showed how important it is for Ireland to be at the heart of the European Union. Deputy Ó Snodaigh spoke, like the Libertas founder has, of unelected elites. I do not expect better from the founder of Libertas who has only a passing acquaintance with truth or accuracy. I would, however, expect a person elected to this House to recognise that a summit of 27 different Heads of State, Foreign and Finance Ministers is not a meeting of unelected bureaucrats or faceless individuals. It is time that the fundamental dishonesty that has been injected into the debate about Europe is put to one side. I have no difficulty in engaging with Deputy Ó Snodaigh or anyone else on issues. Bogus soundbites, however, are a disservice to democratic debate.

All member states accept there is no foolproof way out of the economic crisis and that solely national solutions would not be effective. Concerted international action is imperative. The EU is well equipped to offer international leadership at this time of great difficulty. It is the only regional body worldwide that has that capacity.

At the recent Council summit, important decisions were taken. The Heads of State pledged to do everything necessary to restore economic growth. I was impressed by Deputy Costello's iteration of the €400 billion recovery injection into the European economy, 3.3% of EU gross domestic product. The fiscal stimulus measures are focused and will achieve results, generate new investment, boost demand and create jobs.

The agreement on €5 billion in EU spending as part of the European recovery plan also sent out an important message about European solidarity and cohesion. Members referred to the importance of the €110 million injection into the east-west interconnector. Energy security is one of the most critical issues facing Ireland and can only be achieved in the European Union. Ireland will also benefit from funding for projects such as the extension of rural broadband coverage and the Common Agricultural Policy healthcheck. The recent European Investment Bank release of €300 million funding for the Irish banks is welcome. The banking system must get these moneys into the country quickly and out to SMEs. The doubling of the ceiling of aid to member states not using the euro to €50 billion provides significant support from the eurozone to central Europe. This is a fundamentally sound indication of the solidarity at the heart of the European Union, counter to the mendacious debate heard from Libertas and Sinn Féin.

A pledge of an additional of €75 billion in support for the IMF again demonstrates Europe is heavily involved in finding solutions to a worldwide crisis. Looking forward to the G20 summit in London tomorrow, the EU spelled out the common position on how to improve regulation and oversight of international financial services. I believe Europe is right in this regard. Those who are sceptical of moving towards better regulation should remember that one factor in the current economic crisis was a lack of appropriate and functional regulation.

The Council also highlighted the importance of EU member states working together under the EU umbrella to cope more effectively with the challenges we face. On the Lisbon treaty, the Taoiseach offered his EU colleagues an assurance that we are on track to finalise our legal agreements by the time of the June Council meeting. In the coming months, we will be seeking to give effect to what was agreed at the December Council. It was never intended that the Council meeting in spring would take the final decision on this. Any Member who wants to be briefed on any issue in my particular purview will find my office door open.

Work on the texts will intensify over the coming period. I am confident the spirit of solidarity we saw since last year's referendum will be reflected and we will be successful in delivering on the commitments made at the December Council meeting. We belong to a Union which cherishes and respects diversity and the solidarity which exists between member states. Our experience last June has highlighted the value of European Union membership. The retention of our position at the heart of Europe will be determined by the vote we take later this year on the Lisbon treaty. We cannot expect to be treated as the golden-haired boy of Europe if we do not play our part in it.

I thank Members for their contributions. The upcoming meetings at international level will be critical. The Government will continue to work on the issues raised by last June's treaty referendum. When we reach finality on these, we will be talking with all parties in the House.

See this speech in context