Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, the programme for Government is quite clear in this regard. Over its lifetime the Government will realise €2 billion in respect of the sale of non-strategic State assets. This issue will be decided on by the Government at the appropriate time and there will be a full discussion on it in this House.

Deputy Martin has suggested a longer debate in respect of Europe infringing into other areas. This is the big crisis for the European Union, and the Minister for Finance, as well as everyone else, is taken up with it completely. As the Deputy is aware from his time in government over a number of years, this issue blew everything else off the pages and will continue to so do, which is unfortunate for so many people in so many countries. There has been an endless stream of debates in this Chamber. While Members will debate the Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution)(No. 2) Bill later, they engaged in an exhaustive debate a short time ago on the memorandum of understanding and the troika's assessment of how Ireland has measured up to these conditions. There are questions on finance and the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, which also will have full scope to deal with this issue, is getting under way.

In respect of the European Council meeting, the Government at least has agreed to get Members' views before the meeting takes place. While it will be a short debate, at least it will provide Members from the different parties to have their say before the meeting takes place. I will ascertain what can be fitted in next week arising from the Council meeting. While the Government will try to provide a little additional time, there has been an endless list of debates on the economy, on Ireland's position, on the memorandum of understanding, on the Central Bank and so on.

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