Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

It is about how Europe interacts with the emerging countries, including in Asia and South America, and European policy is critical to that relationship with other parts of the world. The idea that a section on European affairs stands alone is misplaced in terms of the conduct of foreign policy. On the evolution of European policy and how it relates to other blocs across the world, it is arguable that an integrated and coherent approach is needed. If the section and the leadership is taken out of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, that connectivity and strong linkage between what is happening in Brussels and Europe is lost in terms of informing the rest of the diplomatic service on the issues.

With regard to the action plan for jobs, the Taoiseach said two staff were seconded from Forfás. I argue that the plan is not radical. It was over-claimed and over-spun, and was very much based on news management of existing proposals given many of the measures were already agreed or were part of strategies that had already been published. The Taoiseach indicated, when he launched the plan with the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, that there would be a radical departure in the co-ordination of policies. How can this be credible if so few people are actually given specific responsibility for it, even in the Taoiseach's Department?

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