Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All of these have meant that our interest rates have fallen drastically and are now at an average of about 1.25%. Ireland is seen as a good and safe place to invest in, and from that point of view the Government is focused on continuing to keep our public finances in order, creating jobs and providing opportunities for our people.

One of the implications of the ECB decision on quantitative easing last week was the extra benefit Ireland now offers in the hospitality sector, particularly to people from Britain and the United States. The cost of money for business is lower and there is extra credit. It is to be hoped that, in respect of banks, there will lower charges for consumers. We will continue to engage at an international level in a way that has proven to be a record for us. I will be happy to engage with the Greek Prime Minister and his people in respect of how Ireland has been able to achieve that.

We are at a point where the economy is strengthening but it is still fragile.

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