Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the talks he has held with Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy which he mentioned in his London speech of 18 April 2011 [9558/11]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the plans he has submitted as part of the National Reform Plan to the European Commission; if he will publish these plans and present them before Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9641/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the planned official trips he will be undertaking between now and the summer recess; the purpose of these trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10722/11]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together.

I met with Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy at the meeting of the European Council on 24 - 25 March, and at the meetings of the heads of state and government of the eurozone and the Extraordinary European Council on 11 March. The Europe 2020 strategy has been adopted as a successor to the Lisbon strategy for jobs and growth and aims to enable Europe to emerge stronger from the current economic crisis and to turn the European Union into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. As part of the strategy each member state is required to prepare a national reform programme and submit it to the European Commission by the end of April.

Ireland's national reform programme was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on Friday, 29 April and was subsequently submitted to the European Commission. The programme is also available on my Department's website. The national reform programme sets national targets in the five headline areas of employment, research and development, climate change, education and poverty. The programme complements the stability programme update prepared by the Minister for Finance as part of what is known as the new European semester.

In regard to official trips before the summer recess, the House will be aware that I travelled to New York last week to promote Ireland to US business leaders and investors. While I was there I took the opportunity to conduct a number of media interviews. I also addressed the American Ireland Fund dinner gala. I expect to attend the British Irish Council in London on 20 June, and the European Council in Brussels on 23 - 24 June. Other arrangements have not been finalised and remain under review.

We remain in close contact with our European colleagues, both in capitals and in the EU institutions, including on matters relating to the economic challenges facing Ireland and the Union.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I asked two of the questions, Nos. 5 and 7. In his London speech, after meeting Prime Minister Cameron, the Taoiseach stated he had held discussions with Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy concerning Ireland's position. I asked him about the talks he had with those heads of state. There is a growing awareness or sense that to a degree the Taoiseach's international context is being overspun in order to give the impression of more radical action. What the Taoiseach outlined in his reply does not amount to much. I am surprised that in his calendar, even into June, there is no sense of a substantive bilateral encounter to take place with any of the major European leaders, in spite of the diplomatic initiative the Taoiseach stated he and the Tánaiste were launching. Since the Taoiseach's Berlin election stunt there has not been very much-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Can we have a question, please?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I believe the point I raise is important.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must adhere to standards.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have three questions on the matter and am trying to ascertain-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am trying to adhere to Standing Orders.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I accept that, a Cheann Comhairle.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is Question Time.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach outline whether there are substantive bilateral discussions in the offing with President Sarkozy or Chancellor Merkel? I do not mean talking on the margins, or on a bus. The Minister for Finance meets Christine Lagarde on a bus and this becomes "talks" or a meeting. We all know what happens on those bus trips from a meeting to a dinner; it is not substantive bilateral discussions on fundamental and profound issues such as the banking situation or the economic situation facing the country and the European response thereto. That is my point. There is a great deal of spinning and hype going on but it does not amount to a whole lot from what I can see or from what I hear in the Taoiseach's reply.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Much of this is overplayed from other quarters. I never made any overspin of this kind. As I stated in my reply, I met both the Chancellor and the President at that meeting. We have not made any arrangements for bilateral discussions to follow. As the Deputy is aware, the Ministers for Finance continue to discuss and negotiate matters relevant to the IMF-EU bailout, as per the agreed position following the decision of the heads of government. The diplomatic onslaught, as the Deputy terms it, is being followed through. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Gilmore, called together all the EU ambassadors in Dublin and had a serious conversation with them. That was followed by requests from the ambassadors of non-EU countries whom he then called together. All Irish ambassadors, IDA and enterprise and employment personnel will be called back to the country in June for a serious discussion about programmes and plans to sell the message of our country and how we will rebuild relationships and demonstrate to other countries and public representatives we are serious in our resolve to sort out our country's problems.

The Tánaiste was in London yesterday, or perhaps Monday, and is to be in Paris tomorrow. Ministers and Ministers of State who travel abroad on official business will be required to make contact with their counterparts in a meaningful and realistic way. Other heads of government are busy, just as we are. Our priority was to launch the jobs initiative and restore a sense of confidence.

I will inform the House as and when such meetings are arranged.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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May I ask a supplementary question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will come back to the Deputy. I call Deputy Adams.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Before I ask my question perhaps the Ceann Comhairle will give me some guidance. There are a number of questions lumped together and I want to have a sense of what happens when that is the case because these questions are widely diverse. What time is allowed to the Deputy who tables the question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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As I stated at the outset, the point of a supplementary question is to elucidate on the reply given. If the Deputy is not happy with the reply given to the question tabled by Deputy Pearse Doherty he is entitled to seek further information. It is difficult for the Chair when questions are grouped which do not really follow, one on the other. That is not a matter for me in this case but for the Taoiseach. If Deputy Adams is representing Deputy Doherty I ask him to stick to the question as tabled.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for that advice. This is something the Taoiseach should consider, in the interests of trying to arrive at clarity and information. Sometimes it is difficult when totally different questions are grouped together.

The national reform programme contains no specific 2020 poverty reduction targets. Why is there no reference to that? It repeats the existing targets for reduction of consistent poverty contained in the national action programme for social inclusion by 2016. The deadline is not contained in the Government plan and the Government does not appear to have met or mentioned the guideline required by the Europe 2020 strategy. There is no reference to those experiencing relative poverty or the growing number of people throughout the island, especially in this State, who are defined as working poor.

My other question relates to the Taoiseach's future trips. Does he plan to visit Palestine or Israel during his term of office and, if not, will he consider doing so? The Taoiseach may wish to note and I am sure the Minister for Foreign Affairs has noted the agreement between the main political movements in Palestine. It is a welcome development and offers up the hope of a negotiated settlement once again which recognises the rights of the Palestinian people.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are straying.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I am dealing with the question put to the Taoiseach to name the planned official trips he will undertake between now and the summer recess.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a different issue.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Given the relative success of our own peace process and the awful plight of people now in the Middle East, if the Taoiseach were to visit Palestine and Israel it would be a very good signal, especially a visit to Gaza. I was there myself and I know Deputy Micheál Martin in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs was there and I commended him on that. What he did was courageous. I was there myself and stayed overnight for some time. Dreadful repression has been endured there. Ireland can help in what is a gloomy international situation with many difficulties.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy can take it that the Tánaiste has a particular interest in seeing that the Middle East situation, in so far as Israel and Palestine is concerned, becomes more the focus of concentration of the European Union. When I was on the other side of the House I brought several of my Deputies out to Israel and Gaza and I found the trip a revelation in many respects. I had a long conversation and a fruitful meeting with John Ging, who, as the Deputy is aware, was working in Gaza. This is a political issue that deserves concentration in so far as we, as a State and a member of the European Union, are concerned. The Deputy can take it that the Tánaiste will see to it, in so far as he can, that this receives a high level of priority. I cannot say that I have any fixed intention of visiting there in the near future although, personally, I am keen to go back and review some of the issues we discussed before. However, I assume the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has this high on his agenda as well.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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What about the question I put on the absence of poverty reduction from the Government programme or plan?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is a part of the programme set out for the Union. I mentioned the five headline areas of employment, research and development, climate change, education and poverty. In so far as the strategy is concerned, the programme for Government sets out the fact that the Government is fully committed to the 2020 strategy and the creation of employment in smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Poverty is an issue that is part of the programme submitted and it is something about which we are concerned. Those living close to or below the poverty line, of whom there are many, deserve the consideration of Government and we will give them whatever priority we can afford to encourage and bring them up the ladder of life opportunity. The Department of the Taoiseach is responsible for co-ordinating the preparation of Ireland's national reform programme with line Departments. Deputy Adams may be assured that, in so far as this is one of the headline areas, we will see that it is promoted.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have put down Questions Nos. 5 and 7 and I wish to follow up on the Taoiseach's earlier reply. The Taoiseach said that reporters or the media hyped up some of the contexts. The Taoiseach's office issued a press release referring to the launch of a diplomatic offensive. This is the context in which I put down the questions. The Taoiseach has held only one substantive bilateral meeting since then. We have all called in the EU ambassadors. That is regular and does not constitute anything in terms of a diplomatic initiative. That is part of the regular briefings with EU or non-EU ambassadors with whom I regularly interactively engaged when I was Minister for Foreign Affairs. I put it to the Taoiseach that this is normal practice.

The bringing back of our own ambassadors is a regular occurrence as well and this took place long before the Taoiseach came into office. Does the Taoiseach agree that none of this constitutes the diplomatic initiative that the Taoiseach and his office launched? In essence there has been an over-hyping of the contacts.

I am concerned that in the Taoiseach's answer to Question No. 7, among the official trips up to June I see no substantive bilateral meeting with European leaders on the schedule. It is important that this should happen. Does the Taoiseach intend to lead any trade delegations in the coming six months as part of the official trips he plans to undertake during that period?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When I went to see Chancellor Merkel in the course of the general election campaign the Deputy said it was a photo opportunity.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Which it was, that was self-evident.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We held an important bilateral discussion about the issues of Europe.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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You are damned if you do and you are damned if you do not.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not share the Deputy's view. While it might be regular to call back European Union ambassadors, non-EU ambassadors and our own ambassadors, it is important to be able to say and to remind them that a new Government is in charge with a new sense of priorities, a renewed enthusiasm and decisiveness to sort out the country's problems. It is important for them to get the message out because, unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, things were not the way they should have been.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is true.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Unfortunately, we had evidence of Ministers not turning up at meetings in Brussels, departing quickly and not doing their job in the interests of the country as one would assume. It is important to set out clearly the changed situations in the context of the diplomatic interaction or onslaught and to express to those people that we are serious in our resolve to deal with our country's problems, to explain the strategy of making decisions in respect of the larger issues such as the banks, the deficit, employment and so on and to show them that things are not the way they were and that we have every intention of moving to a point where this country goes back up the ladder to be among the top five again. This is the reason why the Tánaiste has been so vigorous in following through what may be reasonably normal meetings but with a rather different and changed agenda.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no change.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have not decided on any individual trade delegation but I have had requests in respect of a visit to China. I understand the Deputy was there as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is an important element of Ireland's capacity to export. The Tánaiste, in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and trade promotion, will do this. I have no fixed dates for any trade delegations but this will come into the reckoning before long and I will provide the Deputy with an update on them as they happen. As the Deputy is aware, one cannot simply say any trade delegation will pay a visit to China. The Chinese will make the arrangements in respect of suitable dates for their personnel over there. As someone who was many years ago in the Department with responsibility for trade I realise the importance of particular trade delegations and how they can open doors for Irish potential to export to foreign markets and I support that strongly.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Mac Lochlainn.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Can I put a brief supplementary?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have given you a fair run.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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They were my questions.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach will acknowledge that it will be rather difficult for us to deliver on the goals we set ourselves in the national reform plan while, at the same time, implementing the austerity programme from the EU, the IMF and the ECB. The Tánaiste has announced the diplomatic initiative. Does that initiative involve engaging with the Governments of Greece, Portugal and, potentially, Spain on a counter-offensive to the narrative that exists in northern Europe that the bailout is a result of the recklessness of the peripheral economies when, in reality, the recklessness of major financial institutions in the core states being allowed by the ECB and IMF to lend banking institutions in the peripheral states was the cause of the crisis? What engagements have taken place with those Governments?

Have we considered an engagement with the 186 other member states in the IMF on its failure in oversight?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a separate question.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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The two are clearly linked. We must develop and defend our national interest by countering the erroneous narrative that the recklessness of peripheral European states caused the crisis when the failure of the IMF and ECB in their regulatory responsibilities caused it. What have we done so far?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not really for this supplementary question.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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It is linked to the meetings.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Anything can be linked. This is Question Time. We are trying to get answers for Deputies. It is not a general debate. That is what I am trying to get across. I do not want to cut across the Deputy but I must be fair to everyone. There are Deputies waiting for their questions to be answered. We cannot have a general debate on the economy in response to a simple question.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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For the Deputy's information, I had a meeting with Prime Minister Papandreou before the meeting in Brussels where he sought support for an interest rate reduction and the difficulties faced by his country. I also met with then Prime Minister Socrates in respect of the difficulties in Portugal. Obviously these countries have problems that are different from ours. We have a strategy in place and we are on target to meet it. It is being monitored by the troika and I am glad to note the Exchequer returns indicate our tax drive is on target. The Government's focus is now to follow through with job creation, stimulate the economy, create investment, provide opportunities for further exports and grow the economy. That is how we must do this.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach his official engagements since 9 March 2011 which have involved engagement with the manufacturing industry. [9562/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach his plans to meet chief executives of major businesses following his statement that he intends to do so in a recent reply to a question. [10462/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 10: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make it a matter of priority to meet with trade union, unemployed, industry, small business and other civil society groups to discuss the jobs crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10478/11]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, together.

Supporting enterprise and providing a favourable climate for business start-ups and growth are key elements of the Government's strategy for supporting enterprise and growing employment. The jobs initiative announced yesterday contained a number of measures to assist enterprises in creating and retaining jobs. As Head of Government, I have met a number of senior business executives from a range of sectors including manufacturing at domestic events and also during my recent international visits to London, New York and Washington.

I will continue to support the development and implementation of enterprise policy in a variety of ways including through engaging with the business community at home and on international visits and meeting with potential investors where appropriate. However, these and other aspects of enterprise policy are primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation. As such, any questions on these issues, including future parliamentary questions, should be addressed to him.

I also intend to meet with the representative groups under social partnership, including business representatives, in due course to outline the Government's approach to dealing with our current economic challenges and to explore how their activities can enhance economic and social progress. These meetings have not yet been scheduled. However, I believe that social dialogue can and should continue to take place through the different structures in place across Departments as we implement the programme for Government.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I asked about the Taoiseach's official engagements with the manufacturing industry. I would appreciate if he could be more specific about official engagements he has had with that sector since 9 March. Manufacturing industry is extremely important. Exports are at an 11 year high because of the consistent policies that have been adopted to support export industries.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Could the Deputy please not take up too much time? I am trying to get to other Deputies.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that but I have two questions.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, but it is a simple question: has the Taoiseach engaged with manufacturing industry, yes or no?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Ceann Comhairle has interrupted before I even finished the sentence.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I understand how important this is to the Deputy but he must be reasonable.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will be reasonable but I must give the basis to the question. I have noted how the Government has quickly latched on to those elements that are doing very well but has the Taoiseach met the representative bodies for the manufacturing sector or with companies such as Boston Scientific, Hewlett Packard and Intel? Has he garnered anything from them about the needs of the manufacturing sector in terms of confidence, growth and development so we can attract more inward investment? I am not asking any other Minister; I am asking the Taoiseach what is needed to secure investment from the manufacturing sector in the country.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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From the Taoiseach's response and the comments that have been made around the jobs initiative, with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, making the same points on radio this morning, I do not doubt that he is concerned about dealing with the jobs issue, as is everyone. There is, however, a significant difference of opinion about how to do that. Much of the emphasis in terms of who the Taoiseach is talking to and who is advising him is very much to one side of the economic perspective. My question is about the extent to which the Taoiseach will engage with workers, civil society groups and academics who are suggesting that we are moving in precisely the wrong direction to deal with the jobs crisis. That opens debates about the IMF programme. Is there a willingness to engage seriously in new forums in this Chamber and externally in terms of who the Taoiseach meets and talks to, particularly those who have a different perspective on how to deal with the situation and who feel the current path is unsustainable and will not work?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Boyd Barrett seems to think he is the only person who meets workers and real people. I do that on a regular basis and I can testify that the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation has met a range of manufacturing industry representatives. I have met with a number of senior figures from firms throughout the country. I have not met with industry blocs but I have asked the Department to see if we can get an appropriate time to meet with groups of chief executives to discuss that issue.

Deputy Boyd Barrett talks about the range of opinions and asks when I will consult with workers. The jobs initiative yesterday is specifically about the unemployed, those who were workers and who want to be workers. The academics at the other end may well have the view that we can jolt the economy by getting rid of the budget deficit in one year. I do not want to give the economy a lethal injection like that. People are entitled to their views and can write reports and articles but on this side of the House we must deal with real people and their lives and make decisions that affect the country; that is what we intend to do.

It is a constant process of meeting workers and real people and those who have ideas about how to improve the situation. If the Deputy has any worthwhile proposals about job creation, I would like to hear them. Some of the proposals I have heard in the last month, however, would certainly not help this country.