Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have answered that question. They do not have referendums in Germany. In France, when the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was defeated, President Sarkozy campaigned on the basis that he would put through the treaty by parliamentary majority if he was elected. It was not about the issue of the referendum but the delay and confusion caused as a consequence.

There was no discussion in any great detail about individual protests in each of the countries. There was a serious discussion about jobs. There was a great deal of comment about the fact that we cannot cut our way back to prosperity or tax our way back to prosperity. There must be an emphasis on growth, employment and job opportunities and freeing people to create work and jobs. That is where the emphasis will be and Ireland contributed comprehensively to that debate because it is in our specific interest.

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