Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Romania, for example, cannot draw down all its structural funds and there are a number of other problems in that regard. In those three areas, in respect of the growth and jobs agenda, Ireland will be very strong in articulating what is in both our interest and the interest of the eurozone. The problem, however, is the banking crisis and that is the issue for Friday's meeting. The problem we face here is that if one accepts the principle of European decision-making and sharing of liability, the corollary is also true. In Ireland's case what happened was that the direction was given from Europe and the Government lay down in front of it and accepted that the Irish people should shoulder all of that liability. That is where there needs to be change. That is the design flaw that applies within the eurozone.

As I stated in that interview, the eurozone banking crisis is holding back this and every other country. As an exporting nation we need other European economies to be thriving and getting stronger so that they will buy our goods. Europe as a whole buys from other countries around the world; it is a global situation. The real opportunity on Friday is for political leadership. Speculators and those who write and comment can say what they like. This must be a political process with a political decision that will set clarity of structure and strategy in which markets and investors can have confidence and understand the strength of and the future of the euro and the eurozone. That is a political problem that must be dealt with by political leaders. We - and I - will articulate this. I will articulate that argument very strongly on behalf of the Irish Government and the people. What was accepted in the past is the cause of the problem. The principle of acceptance of European decision making and sharing of liability was not applied in the case of this country - to our cost.

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