Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together.

I met with Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy at the meeting of the European Council on 24 - 25 March, and at the meetings of the heads of state and government of the eurozone and the Extraordinary European Council on 11 March. The Europe 2020 strategy has been adopted as a successor to the Lisbon strategy for jobs and growth and aims to enable Europe to emerge stronger from the current economic crisis and to turn the European Union into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. As part of the strategy each member state is required to prepare a national reform programme and submit it to the European Commission by the end of April.

Ireland's national reform programme was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on Friday, 29 April and was subsequently submitted to the European Commission. The programme is also available on my Department's website. The national reform programme sets national targets in the five headline areas of employment, research and development, climate change, education and poverty. The programme complements the stability programme update prepared by the Minister for Finance as part of what is known as the new European semester.

In regard to official trips before the summer recess, the House will be aware that I travelled to New York last week to promote Ireland to US business leaders and investors. While I was there I took the opportunity to conduct a number of media interviews. I also addressed the American Ireland Fund dinner gala. I expect to attend the British Irish Council in London on 20 June, and the European Council in Brussels on 23 - 24 June. Other arrangements have not been finalised and remain under review.

We remain in close contact with our European colleagues, both in capitals and in the EU institutions, including on matters relating to the economic challenges facing Ireland and the Union.

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