Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I know. Sin é. The visit was welcome and successful. I was delighted with it. I am sure the Taoiseach will acknowledge the work undertaken by his predecessor, Brian Cowen, in conjunction with ambassadors Rooney and Collins in working to get President Obama to agree to visit our country.

On the economic issues to which the Taoiseach alluded in his reply, which I raised in my questions, in the aftermath he indicated that the meetings with the President were detailed and substantive. Given the prominence of claims concerning the attitude of the Administration in the United States towards bank bondholder debt, could the Taoiseach indicate that he raised that specific issue with the President? Could he tell us what was said in that regard and what the President's reply was in terms of their approach to bondholder debt? Equally, given the clear threat to this country of new rules on taxing overseas income, in particular of US multinational companies abroad, could the Taoiseach indicate the outcome of that discussion and whether the issue was specifically raised?

Last week the Taoiseach indicated that he did not raise the interest rate with Prime Minister Cameron. Did he specifically raise the issue of better, sustainable loan terms and a reduction in the interest rate with President Obama? That is an important issue to us.

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