Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not find it revolting. The Deputy's salary is paid by the decision of these people and the European Central Bank. We do not control the ECB, although our governor attends its meetings. The 17 eurozone governments obviously each have very different views about how individual countries operate their economies. From those with triple A status down along the line, there are very different views. The leaders of which the Deputy speaks were the leaders who made the political decision to bring in the EFSF, and consequently followed through with the decision, which was in part put on the table by Ireland, that there be no margins for funding, which has meant a substantial saving for the Irish taxpayer here.

We have pointed out recently the impact of the discussions between the Minister for Finance and the Mr. Trichet about writing down debt against senior bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank, which might result in a saving of €100 million. The Minister for Finance made it perfectly clear that if it were possible to do something in respect of the promissory note over a longer period, the savings would be of a very substantial nature to the Irish taxpayer.

I do not find it revolting to sit at meetings with leaders who are democratically elected by the people in their countries and who make decisions there about the European Union, of which Ireland is a central player. At this meeting, I spoke to President Barroso, Mr. Van Rompuy, the special representative, Ms Catherine Ashton, the Prime Minister of Poland, the German Chancellor and a number of other leaders who were present. In so far as Ireland is concerned, we will continue to point our country in the direction it is now headed, which is one of increasing confidence, with an injection of equity into our banks and an inflow of deposits. These represent a sign of confidence, although I recognise we have a long way to go and have some difficult decisions to make. We will continue to work with our European partners to ensure Europe gets back to where it should be, which is right up there at the top.

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