Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

Last week's meeting of the European Council discussed two major international issues, Libya and Japan. On Libya, we endorsed UN Resolution 1973, which authorised actions to protect civilians. We reiterated our call on Colonel Gadaffi to step down immediately. The European Union has already moved swiftly to implement sanctions and we stand ready to adopt further measures to ensure that the Gadaffi regime does not benefit from oil and gas revenues. The humanitarian situation, both within Libya and on its borders, remains a source of serious concern. The European Union will continue to provide assistance to all those affected, working closely with the UN and NGOs.

On Japan, we said again that the European Union will support Japan as it strives to overcome the immense challenges it faces after the earthquake and tsunami. We stand ready to provide further support at Japan's request. There are lessons to be learned from what has happened, including in the area of nuclear safety, and the Council has asked for the safety of nuclear plants to be reviewed through a full and transparent risk and safety assessment.

The Council also decided a comprehensive package of economic measures. We agreed arrangements to improve the operation of the current financial stability facility, from which Ireland is receiving assistance, as well as the features of the permanent mechanism which will replace it in 2013. We also finalised agreement on the change to the treaties needed to place the mechanism on a firm and legal footing. We pressed forward with the implementation of the new European semester under which member states will submit programmes, covering budgetary plans and structural reforms, in April. We endorsed the agreement on the six legislative proposals on budgetary and macro-economic surveillance and look forward to their adoption in June.

We concluded the Euro Plus Pact, as adopted by the Heads of the euro area on 11 March and welcomed a further six non-euro member states that decided to join it. Participating member states will present their commitments under the pact in their reform programmes next month. The Council underlined the importance of the European banking stress tests and agreed that member states will have ambitious strategies in place to deal with any consequences prior to publication of the results. We also heard from Prime Minister Socrates on recent developments in Portugal. With regard to issues of particular concern to Ireland, my European Council colleagues agreed with my view that it makes sense to come back to these when the results of our banking stress tests are known. I suggested that Ministers for Finance be asked to take this work forward and this approach was agreed. We want to move forward swiftly once the position is clear and will remain in close contact with European partners, both in capitals and institutions, as the work progresses.

On bilateral or foreign visits, I have not yet finalised travel plans for the year ahead.

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