Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

This is exactly the stance which I hope the Taoiseach and others will take to the summit in Europe and to the multiple telephone conversations in future. There is a danger, not as a result of this referendum, that the big countries in Europe will continue to get preferential treatment regardless of the result of this referendum. They may be right or wrong but the Government, Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have stated that this result gives them added clout - I gather the phrase used was "authority in Europe" - which they can bring to the table at the summit at the end of June.

Given that the summit will be about growth, will the Taoiseach spell out whether he will bring the issue of banking debt to the political leaders in attendance? The Tánaiste has stated the greatest boost that could be given to growth would be to secure some relief on the bank debt. Will the Taoiseach give an assurance he will have this issue placed on the agenda as part of the promised growth pact?

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