Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The French and the Greek people went to the polls to decide who will lead them. The Irish will vote next week to decide on the stability treaty. It is our decision, to be taken in our own interest and in our own time. Of course, the elections in France and Greece will have an impact on our discussions at European level. For example, they will bring a long-awaited focus to the growth agenda. Those discussions will continue at tomorrow's meeting. This Government has been seeking to have job creation and economic stimulus measures adopted by the European Council for some time.

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