Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Ministers of this Government attend their meetings, in contrast to behaviour in the past. That is the first point. It is not a case of President Van Rompuy speaking only to certain people. There are consultations with every country and every leader. The main items on the agenda are determined long in advance and, given the crisis we have had in the eurozone for the past three years, firewalls, budgetary discipline and better governance procedures are central to all of those. They have been the subject of the discussions at the EU Heads of Government meetings since I had the privilege of being elected Taoiseach. They are central to all discussions.

I am a strong supporter of the communautaire method, which involves the Commission and all of the member states. I have never been afraid to say that and have done so on many occasions. Clearly, countries that are contributing to the funds to keep other countries moving - funds which must be repaid - have an interest in seeing that where payments are made, conditions are accepted and adhered to by the receiving countries. That is the reason for the anxiety in respect of putting together what is now an intergovernmental treaty to bring that about from a political point of view. That is why all the intensive discussions that have taken place are to find a formula of words that can accommodate that.

I am leader of a party and Government which are very focused on the potential of the European Union. The Union was founded on the principles of solidarity, co-operation and trust. From that perspective, the communautaire method and the Commission are vital to the future prospects of the European Union. I am of the view, however, and I hope the matter can be concluded successfully, that when these matters are resolved, everyone will understand the importance of playing their part in a European Union that has let itself slip over the years by not focusing on the realisation of its true potential. I hope, following the conclusion of the intergovernmental agreement and its ratification, by whatever method, by the countries involved, that Europe can then have adequate firewalls and will have clearly arrived at a political situation where there is budgetary discipline, conditions applying and sanctions imposed on countries which step out of line.

Ireland will continue to measure up in order to get out of this programme as quickly as we can. Our objective is to regain our economic independence in order that we can decide as a Government, in co-operation with our European Union colleagues, what is in the best interest of our country, our people and our children's future.

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