Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Of course there is a discussion about these things and that is why, in part, ECOFIN ministers have been meeting regularly over the summer. It is also a fact that, as the situation evolves and changes rapidly here, at the end of the day politicians will have to make decisions in respect of their governments and collectively within the eurozone and the European Union. That is why each government has a responsibility to implement the decisions taken at the meeting in July. Ireland is doing that. As these discussions continue and as the situation changes, everything is discussed, from the crisis in particular countries in Europe and the impact of this infecting banks if one writes down debt from senior bondholders. However, at the end of the day politicians and leaders have to make decisions. In so far as that is concerned, we will contribute our part.

Nobody has been discussing with me the question of a new treaty for Europe. We have the Lisbon treaty and my view is that should be fulfilled and on a co-operative basis we should implement what we have to do to re-establish the primacy of the European Union, in which I believe very strongly.

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