Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Given that Ireland is a small country, did the Taoiseach discuss with the Croatian President the difficulties and discrimination small countries face within the EU? It is almost impossible for small countries to access the Juncker plan in respect of investment because, by and large, small countries do not have the very large and international private enterprises that can invest in the Juncker plan, which is almost entirely directed at the private sector. Croatia is a small country which has had its political ups and downs in recent years. The draining of confidence in the European ideal is because fiscal rules for the EU are now set by Germany. Notwithstanding the Taoiseach's very close alliance with Angela Merkel and the European People's Party, he seems unable to influence the gag that exists in terms of more investment spending. EU countries like Ireland, other smaller countries, and indeed large countries like France and Italy will not be able to prosper and modernise to the degree they need to unless a mechanism is found to provide for investment spending outside the very strict German deficit rules that now exist in the EU.

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