Dáil debates

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

4:00 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach has made an extraordinary statement in saying that the European Central Bank is not an issue in so far as this treaty is concerned. In fact, the ECB is at the heart of all of these issues. Much of the critical analysis of the treaty is that it is the wrong treaty for the wrong problem and will not in itself provide a solution. It is a political response to domestic political concerns and is being driven by the German and French leaders. Is it not time that other leaders, including the Taoiseach, broadened the debate and made these points honestly and in an upfront manner at Council meetings in order to get a robust debate going in terms of what is required to resolve the broader crisis over time? It is not enough simply to follow the leaders in this matter. The Minister for Social Protection, who is sitting alongside the Taoiseach, made the point in Brussels in recent days that it is transparent to the public at large that "Merkozy", as Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy have been labelled, is driving this agenda. Reform of the European Central Bank, including broadening its mandate, is central to the broader reform process. We should take every opportunity, including summits, to articulate that.

I understand this summit was the first occasion on which the Taoiseach had spoken to President Sarkozy since 9 December 2011. Is there an issue between him and the French President in terms of meeting? I understand there was an attempt to organise a bilateral meeting and that an open invitation was given to the Taoiseach, which has not been taken up. It is time to go and meet President Sarkozy and give him our position. French intentions in regard to the tax issue have not gone away. Mr. Hollande, leader of the French Socialist Party, wants the treaty renegotiated in its entirety, while the current Prime Minister believes it should be subject to a referendum in France. It would be interesting from our perspective to get a sense of President Sarkozy's perspective on all of that.

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