Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I thank Senators for this invitation to come and have this morning's discussion. As always, I relish the opportunity to engage with the upper House. I thank the Seanad for giving me the opportunity to have this important debate on the outcome of last week's European Council meeting in Brussels. I particularly appreciate the fact that we now have an opportunity to discuss developments in the Seanad. It is normal to do so in the Dáil but this increase in the level of scrutiny and engagement with European matters in the Seanad is an important initiative. I am very pleased with this new development.

I accompanied the Taoiseach to the European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday of last week at which significant political agreement was reached, particularly on the means of protecting our common currency and restoring stability to the euro area.