Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The decision to be made on 31 May is a decision by the Irish people for Ireland and its future. The people are being asked for their permission to ratify the treaty signed on 2 March. I congratulate Mr. François Hollande on his election as President of France. I have noted his comments on growth, balanced budgets, the need for an ESM and also the need for a more concentrated focus on a growth agenda for Europe, which is in everybody's interest. I welcome his statement from the point of view that Ireland and other countries have been talking about this agenda for some months.

I spoke to President Van Rompuy on Sunday and urged him to hold a summit meeting on a growth agenda. On 23 May, after the French President has been ratified, the meeting will take place and the Heads of Government will look at the areas for growth and investment as part of that agenda and, I would assume, come back at the June meeting with specific proposals, including some of those the Deputy mentioned. This is clearly in Ireland's interest. In saying that we support a growth agenda, we do so in principle but there are issues that are clearly not in Ireland's interests, including changes to corporation tax rates.

For the period ahead, the campaign here will focus on the positive reasons that Ireland should vote for this treaty, including continued access to investors' decisions to invest in Ireland and the lists of job announcements. The access to the permanent mechanism of the ESM is the insurance policy or the back-stop that countries will look for and this will also put good housekeeping rules in order here so our country does not end up in serious difficulties again.

I have congratulated Francois Hollande. I expect to speak to him this week and clearly as far as his comments have been made to date about additional measures in terms of growth and investment, these are to be supported. The more that European economies can grow and prosper, the better it is for our country. Clearly, it should be said that we must appreciate the difficulties and the challenges that people have faced up to in this country and that is paying dividends in the recognition that Ireland has moved considerably from where it was, having been linked with other countries just a short time ago.

Over the next week, I assume the question of the agenda of the meeting of 23 May will be clarified. I will be happy to share that with the House and take proposals from Members in respect of their views about issues that should be discussed for investment and for a growth agenda.

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