Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In so far as the conclusion to the question of a reduction of interest rate is concerned, there has been quite a deal of speculation about every meeting that this will bring it to a conclusion - I have never said that. The point is that the authority was given to the ministers for finance to continue negotiations on this. I would like to see it brought to a conclusion and I would like to see an interest rate reduction applied to Ireland, but I cannot give the Deputy a date as to when that will finally be concluded. As the Deputy is aware, the Heads of Government agreed in principle that countries within the EFSF bailout system should have and could have an interest rate reduction applied to them. Ireland is in that position and authority has been devolved to the Ministers for Finance to continue negotiations in that regard. I recognise the Deputy has been supportive of this process. However, I am not in a position to give the House a definitive date as to when the matter will be finally concluded.

The conditions for the bailout scheme were put together by the Troika, namely, the IMF, the European Union and the European Central Bank, and also by the Government. Elements of it have been changed in respect of the minimum rate and also by the Government by way of the jobs initiative. Other countries may wish to impose conditions on Ireland that are not being imposed on any other country, which is not helpful.

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