David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the planned expansion in the number of countries within the European Union using the Euro currency over the coming twelve month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18731/07]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding reports that further members of the EU are to join and become full members of the Euro common currency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 281 together.

The most recent European Council agreed the accession of Cyprus and Malta to the euro area from January 2008. This will bring to 15 the number of countries having the euro as their currency. It means that from next year a majority of EU Member States will belong to the euro area.

This agreement at the European Council followed a positive assessment of the economies of Cyprus and Malta by both the European Commission and the European Central Bank, in their reports published on 16th May 2007. The European Parliament gave its agreement on 20th June. This latest development will benefit the many Irish people who travel to Cyprus and Malta each year. Ireland looks forward to other Member States adopting the euro as soon as they are ready to do so.