Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

In respect of the Global Economic Forum, will the Leader to ask a junior Minister from the Taoiseach's Department to come to the House and provide a review every four months on the outcomes of the forum and the progress made on the ideas that came out of it in respect of improving the economy, tourism and culture? It was noted that while Micheál Martin and the previous Government came up with the idea of the first Global Economic Forum in Farmleigh, it was difficult to get tangible results from it, especially in light of helping small businesses, the economy and job creation, which is a major issue. My concern is that when those people are called upon to come again in two years time, if they are not told what has been achieved since this session was set up, they will not come and their goodwill will be gone.

One initiative on the Order Paper is for an honorary Senator to represent the Irish overseas. I note with interest that the Tánaiste has spoken of honouring those members of the global Irish community who have contributed greatly not only to their adopted country, but to Ireland. The appointment of an honorary Senator to represent the Irish overseas is possibly a way of doing this and I call on the Leader to bring this to the attention of the Tánaiste.

Who do the Germans and the French think they are by having meetings over the weekend and deciding what will happen with the euro? Herr Merkel and Monsignor Sarkozy seem to think that they will come up with the ideas and that the other 15 members of the euro will rubber stamp it.