Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Does the Taoiseach agree that in essence the problem has been the failure of European leaders to deal comprehensively and substantively with the euro issue? All of their steps have been too little, too late from the onset of the Greek problem to the present. What essentially happened last week was that the electoral considerations in certain member states took precedence over the objective needs of the European Union and, in particular, the eurozone. I flagged that issue last week as one of the central factors that have in many ways hindered or obstructed a fundamental and comprehensive resolution of this problem.

A fortnight after the previous summit, a well-placed German source indicated there had been no talks between Berlin and Dublin since the last summit. That source stated: "Talking is the only tool we have at our disposal, but if someone doesn't make use of this tool we can't get anywhere...With no concrete ideas, there are so many rumours coming out of Dublin at this stage that I [we] have had to stop." That suggests to me a worrying lack of engagement on the substantive issues. We have had a lot of spin and I put it to the Taoiseach this suggests a lack of substantive engagement between Dublin and Berlin in the lead up to the summit.

In its banking document, Fine Gael promised - credit where credit is due - that it would take unilateral action to force losses on bondholders. I stress the words "unilateral action". Did the Taoiseach raise the issue of unilateral burden sharing with his EU colleagues at last week's summit?

I am somewhat surprised there are no plans for bilateral visits. Given the gravity of the situation and the importance of the issue, a quick tour of capitals across the European Union, and eurozone countries in particular, would be worthwhile in the period between now and June in terms of advancing some of these issues and giving a more detailed account of our perspective on a variety of issues that are encompassed by the economic situation.

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