Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

One of these days the Deputy might find something positive in what happens in our country. One of these days he might reflect on the pride our people feel in being Irish in welcoming the Queen of England and the American President in the context of what these visits can do for our respective countries, for our economy, for our people and for jobs. He might reflect on that and he might some time actually break through his own collective reason and recover it. He used to have it years ago when he was Member of a previous Dáil.

I did not discuss with the Prime Minister the question of the interest rate on the bilateral loan from Britain and I have made that clear. I discussed with him the question of the reduction of the interest rate on the European end of that loan because it is all part of the one package. I also explained to him - of which he was aware because he was at the meeting - that responsibility had been devolved down to the Minister for Finance to continue negotiations and this work is ongoing. The question of the interest rate for the IMF-EU package was discussed and I explained that to him.

As to Deputy Higgins's comments about meaning and significance and disaster, I do not have the final cost of the visits of the Queen and the American President but this information will be given to the House when it is compiled. The barricades to which the Deputy referred could also go to Dingle, which he knows attracts many tourists and which I hope will attract more as a consequence of both of these visits. I advise him not to be downhearted as there is a bright future ahead for our country and I hope some day the Deputy will realise this and participate in the pride and good feeling of our people when they see we are making progress.

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