Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I answered Deputy Martin's question. I refer now to what Deputy Crowe asked about the social cost to the European economy. This cost was addressed in the conclusions of the European Council last week which state clearly that both the economic and the social dimensions are being addressed. The resolution of Europe's economic difficulties and the debate around that has moved on, very much in the direction of what is needed to generate economic growth in Europe and ensure that jobs are created there. That is why the priorities for the Irish Presidency in the first half of next year emphasise growth and jobs. We set out in our programme the way in which those issues are to be addressed, namely, by completion of the Single Market, addressing the digital single market and issues of mobility in the labour market, dealing with the banking union issue and the promotion of trade agreements. All these measures are aimed at developing an environment where jobs will be created in Europe. In addition, it is also our intention to advance the proposals for addressing youth unemployment, levels of which are far too high in Europe. That is the reason we have given a high priority to getting agreement on the youth guarantee during the course of the Irish Presidency.

I refer to Syria. As Deputy Crowe indicated, the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, suggested we should invite the new Syrian opposition coalition for discussions, and we will do that.

I met Mr. Khatib at the Foreign Affairs Council at the beginning of last week and I hope to have the opportunity to meet him here in Ireland if that can be arranged.

A very clear conclusion was reached and a very strong statement was issued on the building of settlements on the West Bank. It is our view, as stated repeatedly, that the building of the settlements on the West Bank will make a two-state solution impossible.

The Taoiseach has discussed the da Silva report with British Prime Minister, and I have discussed it with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the Deputy Prime Minister. It is a matter we expect to discuss again with them.

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