Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Taoiseach for the report. I note that in the conclusion of the European Council meeting in March competitiveness featured largely. I would like to hear more about what discussions were had about keeping the Commission honest in terms of following the simplification agenda. We know from the Draghi and Letta reports that there is a need for an impetus towards the simplification agenda that is not just the deferral of regulation but involves looking at how we ease the burden on businesses in the EU to allow them to not only compete with counterparts in the US but those in Asia and to make sure Europe is at the forefront of the technological innovations that are coming down the track.

In addition and related to that is a need for a co-ordinated approach to a European research and lifelong learning agenda. What steps are we taking to ensure that Irish universities can be centres of excellence and that across the piece, we encourage European universities to be at the forefront of innovation, skills development and lifelong learning we need? Could the Taoiseach provide me with an update on the free trade agreement negotiations between the EU and India?

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