Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Did the Taoiseach ask the President to outline his views on the burning of senior bank bondholders? It is a simple question. This question does not apply to Ireland alone - it applies to the eurozone and across the globe. It is a simple and straightforward question. When the Taoiseach met President Obama, he had an opportunity to raise this fundamental issue and to ascertain the views of the US Administration on a policy initiative that could be to the advantage and benefit of Ireland. The initiative in question is being discussed following the leaking of a letter written by the German Finance Minister on the restructuring of Greek debt. A pattern seems to be developing. When the Taoiseach meets people like Prime Minister Cameron or President Obama, he avoids asking hard questions or raising awkward issues. Such meetings seem to be about backslapping, getting the old photo calls right and getting the optics right. I do not get a sense that the core issues that were identified by the Taoiseach - burning the bank bondholders, getting the interest rate reduced and bringing sustainability to recovery programmes within the eurozone - have been raised in a substantial or fundamental way when the Taoiseach has met key people in recent months. That is why I am surprised the Taoiseach did not ask President Obama to outline his views on the burning of senior bank bondholders.

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