Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In March and July the leaders of eurozone countries held two special summits to agree urgent measures to tackle the financial and economic crisis. After both meetings, announcements were made that a line was being drawn under the crisis. Every day it becomes more obvious that the crisis is getting worse. Half measures impress no one and the lack of cooperation between European leaders is undermining confidence. Having taken the decision not to meet or contact any eurozone leader before the July summit, the Taoiseach's policy in the last two months has been to stay equally silent. As far as can be checked from public records, this seems to be the longest any Taoiseach has gone without holding a major bilateral meeting on urgent European Union business. The Government has not taken a position on the Franco-German proposals for a new European treaty and has accepted the European Central Bank's attitude to non-sovereign bondholders without even meeting the ECB president. Proposals are appearing in the media but nothing concrete is emerging. Given the urgency of what is happening with Greece, as well as Spain and Italy, will the Taoiseach state exactly what Ireland's position is on these fundamental matters? Does the Taoiseach agree that an early summit is now needed?

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