Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 23, inclusive, together.

I attended the meeting of the European Council on 22 and 23 November which aimed to reach agreement on the multiannual financial framework. Following productive discussions, it was decided that a little more time was needed to bring positions closer together and that, while we would maintain intensive contacts, we would return to the matter at a later time.

While I did not circulate any papers at the November European Council, in my bilateral contacts with President Van Rompuy and President Barroso, and in the meeting proper, I set out very clearly Irish concerns and priorities concerning the MFF. I subsequently followed up on a number of points in writing with President Van Rompuy.

I am happy to report to the House that the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework were finalised at the meeting of the European Council on 7 and 8 February. As I stated to the House last week, I believe the deal is a good one for Ireland and for Europe, one that fully protects our vital national interests - including in providing for a strong CAP - and recognises the impact of the economic crisis on this country through special allocations to the BMW region and under rural development funding. In addition, Ireland will be able to access a new €6 billion fund to tackle youth unemployment.

The February European Council also adopted substantial conclusions on trade. Leaders agreed that the immediate priority must be to develop our bilateral trade agenda. The Irish Presidency had already set out an ambitious agenda in that regard, prioritising negotiations that provide the most benefit in terms of growth and job creation. In that respect, progressing the EU-US trade relationship is a particular priority.

In his State of the Union address last week, President Obama provided a significant impetus when he announced that talks would be launched on a comprehensive transatlantic trade and investment partnership. This was followed the next day by a joint statement from President Obama and Presidents Van Rompuy and Barroso in which they undertook to initiate the internal procedures necessary to launch the negotiations. This is a very significant development. Let me assure the House that Ireland, as Council President, we will spare no effort to make the maximum possible progress on this issue during the rest of our term, with a particular focus on securing a negotiating mandate within the Council.

I attended the meeting of the European Council on 13 and 14 December in Brussels. As I have already made a statement to the House on this meeting, I will merely give a summary of its proceedings. Discussions focussed on President Van Rompuy's final report on strengthening economic and monetary union, and good progress was made on a number of fronts, including banking union. Building on an agreement in ECOFIN on the eve of the summit, the European Council called for early agreement with the parliament on the single supervisory mechanism. That work is now well under way. Establishment of the SSM will pave the way for possible recapitalisation of banks by the ESM, and the European Council called for an operational framework for this to be agreed as soon as possible.

The December European Council also agreed conclusions on the annual growth survey and the European semester process, the Single Market and unemployment, including the adoption of the youth guarantee in early 2013. In addition, the European Council asked the High Representative to prepare for a discussion of the Union's Common Security and Defence Policy in December 2013. We also had a discussion on Syria.

I am responsible before the House in respect of my role as a member of the European Council. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade retains overall ministerial responsibility for the co-ordination of EU affairs. Parliamentary questions on European matters are answered on that basis.

The next meeting of the European Council is scheduled for 14 and 15 March. The draft agenda for that meeting will focus on concluding the first phase of the European semester process and, in that context, the state of implementation of the compact for growth and jobs. Next month we will have an exchange of views on relations with strategic partners and address other foreign policy issues, as necessary.

Further meetings of the European Council are scheduled for 22 May, and 27 and 28 June.

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