Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. He raised this issue himself last July when he referred to a meeting he had held with Mr. Alain Juppé. I tabled a question in the context of the clear need to have a carefully planned programme of engagement in respect of both Ireland's EU-IMF programme and the Tánaiste's responsibilities with regard to trade. I suggest that what the Tánaiste has set out for Members today constitutes a disappointing level of bilateral engagement. The Tánaiste's reply indicates there were at most six formal bilateral meetings. As far greater activity is required, does the Tánaiste have in place a plan to have a comprehensive level of bilateral engagement both on the EU-IMF programme and with regard to his highly specific and important responsibilities in the area of trade promotion? What seems like two informal engagements with Mr. William Hague, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, of our major trading partner, appear to be an inadequate response to the challenges facing us.

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