Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a global gathering of the leaders of the most powerful economies in the world. It will make Ireland the focus of global attention. Prime Minister Cameron will hosts the G8 summit in County Fermanagh. There is a requirement on us in respect of the reputation of the country and the safety of every individual to see to it that, where appropriate and necessary, the co-operation of the Garda Síochána and the authorities is made available to the PSNI in order that the meetings can take place as scheduled. The participants will not be discussing war-mongering issues; instead they will be dealing with international issues such as security, food, human rights and the situation in Syria and other countries around the globe. This is politics, as required and necessary, to make decisions on these issues.

I do not accept the Deputy's argument about Catherine the Great. I am not aware of the detail of shop fronts being altered, although I have read some reports on it. I suppose it is a case of each local authority wishing to present its area in the best possible light. I hope the G8 summit will be a big success in the sense of dealing with many of the issues mentioned.

On discussions I may have with any of the leaders about trade or other issues, I hope at some stage to have the opportunity to raise a number of the issues which have been discussed in the House in recent weeks.

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