Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

In the light of the immensely successful visits to this country by President Obama and the Queen of England and the re-establishment of very close links between friends, for which welcome and successful visits I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Government, I wonder if the Taoiseach might approach Europe with a greater degree of self-confidence, a quality that has not been evident in negotiations with Europe since the Government came to power. I ask this specifically because I read the statement today by the Minister of State, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, that the Government would back a European, specifically Ms Christine Lagarde, for the top position, now vacant, in the IMF.

I wonder why we would be inclined to do that. As the Taoiseach knows, Ms Christine Lagarde has taken a position that Ireland's corporate tax should rise and that we should not get a reduction in our interest rate. If we support the French Finance Minister, who has not been helpful, rather has been unhelpful in regard to our position with the IMF, we will support the movement into a position of power in a benign lender, the IMF, of a person who is aggressive against Ireland - as are most of the European powers who protect European banks. Our agenda and that of Europe on this monetary issue are at odds. If we support someone who is so hawkish against us we will corner ourselves.

Would the Taoiseach consider opposing the nomination of the French Finance Minister for the head position in the IMF, specifically because of her record, which is so hostile to Ireland?

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