Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I fully understand that any country can contribute to the setting of an agenda for a meeting but my point is that I do not set the full agenda and it is not yet set. The extraordinary meeting of the European Council on 11 March was convened by President Van Rompuy to discuss developments in Libya and the southern Mediterranean region. It was to set the political direction and priorities for future EU action and policy. We agreed on the importance of Europe developing a new and enhanced long-term partnership with the countries of the southern Mediterranean region as they move towards democracy.

The decision was taken at the meeting before that in respect of the pursuit of an interest rate reduction. That is now in the capable hands of the Minister for Finance and his colleagues. If this matter arises at the June meeting, I will certainly deal with it. When Greece was given its interest rate reduction and the Greek Prime Minister sought an extension of a repayment period, which was approved, they were outside the EFSF category bloc. The agreement was that countries in that would be entitled to a reduction. Some of our European colleagues felt that Ireland, in particular, should comply with extra conditions to avail of an interest rate reduction but we are still negotiating the matter. Quite a number of European commentators have now been very forthright in their view about that. If the opportunity arises I will raise the matter at the June meeting and if it comes up I will be very happy to deal with it. As the Deputy knows, the decision was taken that the Ministers responsible for finance would conclude the matter of interest rate reduction negotiations at their level.

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