Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I have eight questions in the group and because of the limits which are naturally imposed on us, I want to ask separately about a number of questions on the issues I raised.

We all are clear that the eurozone is engulfed in a crisis which threatens its very existence, and yet in the eight months since the Taoiseach's appointment, he has not still visited or hosted a eurozone leader. We all saw how quickly Chancellor Merkel and he were willing to meet for the photocall before the election but it is incredible since then, given the severity of the crisis and the serious issues that we as a country must raise with Germany and other eurozone states, that there has been no formal substantive bilateral meeting between the Taoiseach and the Chancellor or any other eurozone leader. The Taoiseach has over-hyped the normal minor encounters on the edge of summits. Why is there this incredible reluctance to meet other eurozone leaders away from summits?

Why has the Taoiseach refused to table even one position paper at the five summits which he has attended? I asked that question specifically. The Taoiseach was able to produce briefing documents telling Ministers to praise him for his negotiating skills, but no meetings and no documents which would show any negotiations. In fact, the Taoiseach recently confirmed the refusal to release any information from his Department on specific issues relating to the euro summit meetings which would help us to see what has been happening there.

From what I can see, the Taoiseach had a brief meeting with Mr. Trichet in March which represents the sum total of his effort in negotiations, or lack thereof, on unsecured bondholders. Why is that the case? Why did the Taoiseach not take any personal negotiating stance on that? Why did he not table the matter of unsecured bondholders at the summit?

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