Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

Possibly. I am examining some possibilities in that regard, but we must expand the programme next year. There was an enormous demand this year. Everybody wanted to participate, but we had limited resources. The programme is vital in terms of our strategy for communicating during the Presidency.

To reply to Senator Fidelma Healy Eames's question on the financial transactions tax, we have a position, but it is fair to say it is nuanced. We agree unquestionably with having a financial transactions tax, if it was to be introduced on the global stage. If the G20 was to say "Yes," it would be fantastic. We are examining with a cautious eye proposals at European level. I do not want to get into too much technical detail, but the original Commission proposal would have led to double taxation. It was a flawed proposal. The Commission is coming back with what could be called a watered down proposal, to which we will give serious consideration. I can be categorical on one aspect. We will not accept a financial transactions tax that will apply only to eurozone countries because our financial services sector is interconnected with the City of London and the United Kingdom and we would destroy our financial services sector in Dublin and elsewhere if we were to accept a financial transactions tax that would not apply in the United Kingdom. That is non-negotiable; it is a red line issue for us. At EU level, we are more open to discussion of it, but we will view any proposal made with a sceptical eye.

On the holding of a high level event on youth unemployment, an event is planned for February 2013. This will come under the auspices of the Ministers for Education and Skills and Social Protection as it is within the remit of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council. I am not certain if the event will fulfil precisely the role the Senator is advocating, but I will discuss the matter. Certainly, an event is envisaged.