Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

There is a flaw in Ireland's approach to Europe, one which arises from the hubris of the Celtic tiger years. Since we joined the European Union the Department of Foreign Affairs has taken the lead role in our relationship with the EU and individual member states. When Garret FitzGerald, whom I see in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, was Minister for Foreign Affairs and Taoiseach, it was common for Ireland to enter into informal alliances with other member states, particularly smaller countries, to advance our interests. We had close alliances with the Benelux countries in particular. In the past decade we have lost our way and forgotten the friends who used to protect our interests.

At a time when boastful Irish Ministers could clear any bar from Berlin to Barcelona with their lectures on how to get rich through property speculation and how Ireland was the wealthiest country in Europe and a model for all to imitate, it was easy to forget our friends. When Irish Ministers were the braggarts of Europe it was easy for our friends to forget us. We must now mend our hand. Our skilled diplomats must again be instructed to build alliances with member states who share our interests. The central role of diplomacy in protecting our interests and relationships in Europe must be restored.

In this regard, it was disgraceful that Ireland was not represented by a Cabinet Minister when a major new initiative, the issue of euro bonds, was being discussed at yesterday's meeting of the Council of Ministers. This is an example of neglect. While the Minister for Finance may have been busy with the budget, the document was completed at the weekend. Why did a Minister not attend yesterday's meeting which discussed a far-reaching proposal to introduce a euro bond given that acceptance of such a proposal could solve many of Ireland's problems? The president of the euro group, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, who is Prime Minister of Luxembourg, a country that is a traditional diplomatic friend of the Irish, was the main proposer of the introduction of a euro bond. No Irish Cabinet Minister was present at the meeting to push along a project that is in our vital interests.

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