Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

We are determined to find a clear path forward. As the Taoiseach has said, some proposals will be brought to the table next week for an initial discussion among heads of state and government. From that point on, there will be a long period during which states can outline their positions, make suggestions and express their views on how we should proceed. The first thing we intend to do is identify where exactly the challenges lie and what exactly we want to achieve. We will then embark on the process of trying to agree a way forward in the broad areas of economic governance and fiscal co-ordination.

The more important and immediate challenge is to identify a way of calming the turbulence in the markets that has affected our currency over recent months and has reached a worrying and alarming stage. Deputy Martin and others have suggested that the Government has not set out a path or communicated its views. I know the Deputy's initial period in opposition was difficult-----

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