Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Martin for his public support, and that of his party, for a "Yes" vote on the referendum on the fiscal stability treaty. It is important there is no equivocation about this. It is of particular and fundamental concern for the future of our people and country.

This evening's informal meeting of European leaders is, I am glad to say, the realisation of the claims by quite a number of leaders for some time that Europe should focus on growth investment and job opportunities. It is important to note that this is a meeting of 27 leaders rather than of 25 leaders because growth affects all European Union countries. The opportunity and potential exists for the European Union to be the engine of trade in a global sense, to reduce the cost of business and to complete the Single Market. It also has potential in the digital area and to deal with the crisis issues in the eurozone in the context of the discussions on project bonds, eurobonds and other facilities to relieve pressure on sovereign Governments and to look at the broader spectrum of EU-US and EU-China trade relations. I expect leaders of the 27 countries will contribute to this evening's meeting on the growth agenda for the future. I am happy to participate in that debate from a national and European perspective.

I have no difficulty discussing the fiscal stability treaty. However, I turned down the invitation to appear on a particular programme for good reasons. RTE has invited me, as Taoiseach, to do a broadcast on Sunday following the Ard-Fheis contribution of the leader of Sinn Fein, Deputy Gerry Adams. However, I believe that to be predicated on how much time Deputy Adams devotes to the fiscal stability treaty issue on Saturday evening.

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