Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am prepared to give the House extra time tomorrow because these questions were not dealt with today as we did not have time. I accept that. It is not the Ceann Comhairle's fault as the Standing Order sets down the time. There will be a longer period for discussion tomorrow and there will be questions and answers, when the Deputy can deal with his questions.

The questions that were put down are all linked. Deputy Adams had one about the Basque peace process. That is an issue of European importance but most of the questions are about the EU summit and its implications. The Deputy also asked if I met the incoming Prime Minister of Spain. I did, and if one talks to him, through an interpreter, about how things are in Spain, does one go on from there to the linked issue of the part of his country where the Basque peace process is now under way? One could deal with each of the questions individually but one would find that, for example, question No. 5 is already answered in question No. 9 and so forth.

In respect of today's business, which was also raised by Deputy Martin, I am prepared to extend the time allocated for the debate tomorrow and to extend the time for questions at the end of it. We will have to return to this issue, and probably on a number of occasions. Everybody will have an opportunity to have their say about what is of interest to all of us, that is, getting our country out of this mess while at the same time playing our part as a member of the European Union, which will be central to the growth and development of our economy and job opportunities for our people.

The fiscal responsibility Bill will be published in the spring. The Minister has done a great deal of work on it, and it will include a range of matters which we had already signalled even before the European Council meeting on Friday last.

See this speech in context