Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. I attended the June meeting of the European Council on Thursday, 17 June. Since I will make a statement to the House following the Order of Business today I will confine myself to providing a summary account of the proceedings. Much of our discussion at the council focussed on the progress being made by the EU to address the current economic and financial challenges, including, in particular, the work being carried out by the taskforce chaired by the European Council President. We also agreed conclusions to the effect that members states should introduce systems of levies and taxes on financial institutions and publish the results of bank stress tests. The council also endorsed the 2020 strategy for jobs and growth.

In addition, the council discussed the European Union's input into the G20 meeting, which took place in Toronto on 26 and 27 June, the UN millennium goals, climate change, Icelandic accession, the Estonian adoption of the euro and Iran. While I had no formal meetings on the margins of the council, I held brief discussions with several of my European Council colleagues. In particular, I spoke with Prime Minister Cameron. This was the first time we met since he became Prime Minister. The council meeting took place two days after the publication of the Saville report and I repeated my appreciation of his response to the report. We agreed to meet bilaterally in London the following week.

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