Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as a ráiteas ag súil go mbeidh an t-ádh linn nuair a bheidh na díospóireachtaí seo críochnaithe, anocht nó maidin amárach. Níl a fhios agam ag an bpointe seo cé chomh fada agus a leanfaidh an cruinniú seo ar aghaidh. The question of fiscal discipline was raised in the context of one of the governance issues for the eurozone for the time ahead. Clearly the flexibility that exists within the existing instruments which were agreed and signed-off on in July allow for a great deal of activity and scope to occur without any treaty change. I have made my view known very publicly. In a situation where there is a change of competence that would require treaty change by referendum, the Deputy will be aware of the process by which treaty changes are brought about. While it might be an issue for an individual country or for an individual leader to say there is a need for treaty change, for instance, some people might be of the view that if one does not measure up in terms of fiscal responsibility that it would be appropriate to have voting rights withdrawn or be removed from the eurozone or the EU. Things like that would require treaty change.

If one opens the gate to major treaty change, one is talking about Intergovernmental Conferences and much longer periods and a situation where one cannot guarantee the outcome either by time or by Government decision because different governments ratify these things in different ways. The crisis is now and the flexibility exists within the existing instruments to deal with this crisis now. In regard to the discussions I heard on Sunday and in which I participated, 90% can be dealt with without any treaty change.

Deputy Adams will be aware that in the case of treaty change in Ireland, the Attorney General would give legal advice to the Government of the day as to whether a referendum was necessary in respect of any treaty change proposed. It was agreed on Sunday that the eurozone would look at the governance of the way it does its business in the time ahead and that there would be a report back in December about the possibility of limited treaty change - I stress limited treaty change.

I have made my view perfectly clear on this issue. We have to deal with the current crisis now. This country is heading in the right direction. We do not want to lose any assistance or encouragement from our European colleagues to continue on the path of confidence and get out of this mess. From that point of view we will deal with it immediately. I hope that the discussions this evening will have arrived at a point where decisions can be made by the leaders of the eurozone. I hope that clears up the position.

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