Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach may have heard the saying, "Is mór idir é agus an chosúlacht". He said in his reply that the proposals are tabled by the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy. The public has the impression, however, that the people putting forward the proposals are the French President, Mr. Sarkozy, and the German Chancellor, Ms Merkel, whose six-point agenda will be pushed at the upcoming summit. What has the Taoiseach done to discuss this agenda with them? Does he agree that the entire concept of the Union is being undermined by the bilateral approach of these countries?

Soon after assuming office, the Taoiseach said he saw a great difference between substantive meetings with other leaders and ones which involved chats at the margins of larger meetings. It is fair to say that in terms of EU business, the Taoiseach has had one formal bilateral. He has met his British counterpart, of course, but he has had only one formal bilateral in regard to Europe. Will he tell the House whether that policy will change?

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