Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the two pack that Deputy Higgins mentioned, this actually was the focus of an element of our Presidency. I was very happy to welcome last month's agreement on that, which was brokered by the Irish Presidency, together with the European Parliament and the European Commission. It is an important part of the eurozone's economic architecture. It means that the new rules will improve budgetary and economic co-ordination among eurozone countries. They will ensure we have full knowledge of developments across the eurozone and assist in preventing future crises that might arise. The agreement will now have to be approved by the Council and the Parliament before becoming law.

For programme countries, enhanced EU surveillance will remain in place until the balance of EU loans outstanding falls below 25% of the total. There are still a number of precise details to be worked out. The impact of it here, as was referred to on a number of occasions, will mean an earlier budget than the date on which the last budget appeared. The details of that will emerge in due course.

For Deputy Boyd Barrett I have to repeat again that the moneys that were borrowed were for wages, for salaries, for social protection services, for educational services and for health services. If he wants to ask questions about the NPRF, maybe he might address them to Deputy Martin when the former gets a chance.

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