Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The matter Deputy Martin raises is central to the citizens of the European Union and central to the citizens of the eurozone. I have attended eight European meetings, including two meetings of the European People's Party, and I recently met with EU Commissioner Barroso on 13 October. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, has attended ten eurogroup-ECOFIN meetings and at least ten European People's Party meetings of Ministers for Finance. The request I made to meet Chancellor Merkel was issued some time ago. For the information of Deputy Martin, the French President offered a date for a meeting which I cannot take up because I have business here with the British-Irish Council. I have met Chancellor Merkel at all of these meetings previously. The meeting which takes place tomorrow is an opportunity to have a discussion with her in her capacity as German Chancellor about perspectives as to what lies ahead for the eurozone and European Union.

Deputy Martin wrote to me last week and offered a cross-party consensus which would give me a mandate for attending European Council meetings. Clearly, one will not get cross-party consensus on a specific mandate because Sinn Féin has been completely opposed to the concept of European union since we joined the European Economic Community. I notice today, however, that Deputy Doherty is in favour of supporting the euro. There is, therefore, no point in pursuing something that is not realistic or cannot happen. In any event, as Deputy Martin will be well aware, one sits at the European Council meeting of leaders on one's own and if things change rapidly, one could be locked into a specific mandate that is completely off-the-wall or irrelevant in terms of what can happen at such meetings. Things are moving at a frenetic pace. Two technocratic governments have been established, with Prime Minister Monti putting together a government in Italy and Prime Minister Papademos focusing on the Greek situation.

In so far as the European Central Bank is concerned, Deputy Martin will appreciate that the ECB comprises the governors of 17 different central banks. The German Government has a very strong view which is in direct conflict with the proposition made by the Deputy. I have stated previously, as has the Minister for Finance on numerous occasions, that if one wants unlimited financial firepower to deal with contagion across countries, the ECB is obviously the ultimate authority in this respect. The decision of the Heads of Government was in respect of the EFSF and two vehicles for leveraging up that particular money. It is clear there are some complex, technical difficulties associated with this.

In so far as tomorrow's visit is concerned, it is an opportunity to state that this country respects the right of other countries to put forward views about governance and fiscal discipline in respect of the way in which things are run. This country was always absolutely on line in respect of the Stability and Growth Pact and for what its worth we have begun a journey that is headed in the right direction. However, we still need continued support and understanding from our European colleagues.

What I would like to see now in the case of Italy and Greece is a focus on the austerity programmes that will have to be put through in both countries to bring a sense of cohesion to the market situation. I am quite prepared to discuss with Chancellor Merkel her views on Europe which she articulated at the CDU conference yesterday and over the past week. What is important for us is that we continue on the path of meeting the conditions of the bailout and focus on what Europe needs to do to continue to achieve growth in the eurozone and European Union in order that we can come out of this at the earliest possible time.

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