Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not accept the Deputy's comment about humiliation. The Spanish Government has to comply with the reduction to 3% by 2013. Ireland was given an extra year to the end of 2015. As I have pointed out to Deputy Martin, we also negotiated a serious reduction in interest rates which led to the equivalent of €10 billion in savings for the Irish taxpayer, as well as a number of other elements within the memorandum of understanding which are of particular interest to lower paid workers in this country. I replied to Deputy Adams in respect of the European stability mechanism and the amendment to the European Communities Act 1972. From that point of view we will proceed with the preparations for a referendum on the fiscal stability treaty and the Government will further progress that work at its next meeting.

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