Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I am not clear about this. Are we seeking an explicit write-down of the promissory note debt? Will the Taoiseach clarify our position on this? Regarding the growth agenda, I accept there is more talk around growth and development. I accept in election campaigns people will make comments. If the French socialist leader gets elected, the one aspect of the treaty he will not change is the link to the ESM, European Stability Mechanism. A fundamental raison d'être for supporting the treaty is the guaranteed secure access to this funding. No matter who gets elected, that will not change anytime soon. We need to be upfront and clear with people on that. What may change is a focus on a more concrete growth agenda, which I would support.

Where is the beef in all of this? To put flesh on the bone, an early manifestation of this change could be at the negotiations of the European budget, for example. The Commission is proposing an increase of 7%. This would be a test for Germany and other states as to the degree to which they want to create additional spend across the European Union economy. That is a move we should support at a broader European level. The talks on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy over time will be another important signal in terms of support of measures that can help member states' domestic economies, especially our own. Whereas Greece may have receded temporarily from the headlines, unfortunately others have come in to fill the space. There is considerable speculation and concern, as we know, about Spain. That is why some of the questions tabled today asked if the Taoiseach met the Spanish Prime Minister recently. That is another reason we should opt for security and vote for the treaty because we are not out of the eurozone crisis yet.

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