Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Taoiseach. Is mór an trua é nár tháinig sé anseo níos luaithe agus nach bhfuil níos mó ama againn le labhairt leis, ach úsáidfidh mé an t-am atá agam. Fáiltím roimh an athrú treo atá ag teacht.

It seems likely that a significant U-turn is happening with the European Central Bank's policy on senior bondholders. This is something that Sinn Féin has argued for in Ireland and in Europe. It seems the ECB is shifting its position closer to ours. The logic of that position is that taxpayers should not have to bail out unsuccessful gamblers. That is why we welcome the change in direction that seems to be under way at European level.

What does the Taoiseach think of the significance of the statements being made by the ECB president, Mr. Draghi, especially concerning the Spanish banking crisis? What exactly was the position articulated by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, when this issue was raised? How much political resistance is there and from where is it emanating? How likely is that resistance to be overcome?

Cén buntáiste a bhfeiceann an Taoiseach leis an athrú seo? How does the Taoiseach see Ireland, in practice, benefiting from this shift? How can the policy of equality of treatment be applied after the fact?

Yesterday, the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs heard from the Cypriot ambassador regarding his country's EU Presidency and its admirable social agenda in particular. Cyprus is focusing on youth unemployment as one of the pillars of its EU Presidency. Will the Taoiseach commit Ireland to a similar socially-centred approach?

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí adeirtear. Tá an óige ag imeacht, na mílte díobh, ar an traein agus ar na h-eitleáin. Cén todhcaí an bhfeiceann an Taoiseach d'óige na hÉireann i gcomhthéacs na hEorpa? It is clear from the emigration and unemployment figures that the Government is failing to tackle youth unemployment nationally. Does the Taoiseach have any idea how this might be tackled more successfully at European level? Can he make available to Senators a progress report on the action team on youth unemployment, which was set up by President Barroso? What has been Ireland's engagement with that team?

The Taoiseach said he wanted the EU Presidency to be a whole of Ireland effort. Senator Leyden mentioned that the reunification of Germany occurred under a former Irish EU Presidency, so maybe we will move towards a reunification of Ireland under our forthcoming EU Presidency.