Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach did not answer the question I asked, which was whether he had formally asked for ECB profits on Irish bonds to be returned to Ireland. If a deal is done for Greece, the same should apply to Portugal, Ireland and other countries in programmes. That has been the principle since the outset of the crisis. What is provided for in one country is provided for in another, as we had originally with the reduction in interest rates.

The Taoiseach has not quite answered the question. Given what happened for Greece in this context, why should it not happen for Ireland and Portugal? Have we put this suggestion on the table?

Why have we not commissioned a study on the economic impact of a potential British exit from the EU? Do we know what the impact would be on the Irish economy? This seems to illustrate a lack of proactivity in terms of future planning as regards the EU. I have made this point numerous times in the House. What is our overall position on the Union's future, what is our understanding of a fiscally federal Europe, for example, and do we agree with the concept, and what scenarios will arise from the Van Rompuy analysis, including treaty changes that may come down the tracks? Are we hanging around waiting to see what emerges and making quick decisions on that basis?

Why have we not commissioned a report that would specifically quantify the impact on our economy were Britain to withdraw from the EU? Will the Taoiseach commit in the House to the Government undertaking such a study? It would be important, given the fact that we are dealing with our largest trading partner within the EU.

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