Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the dominant positions which the German Chancellor and the French President have taken in terms of working out the problems of the European Union and euro area; and the way he envisages the problems relating to the euro being sorted out. [34482/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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While we need to ensure that no one Member State nor a small number of Member States act entirely on their own in pushing agendas, there are some advantages of larger countries moving the agenda forward - for instance one of the main criticisms during the crisis has been the so-called 'leadership deficit'. So if the larger Member States can address this deficit, then that is in all of our interests. Of course, this must be balanced and be in the interests of the euro area as a whole. My (and the Government's) preference would be to use the community method more, where other Member States' views and inputs can be made and where the Commission can act to ensure that the voice of the smaller Member States is heard.

In terms of addressing the problems of the euro, it is crucial that the comprehensive strategy announced by euro area Heads of State and Government on the 26th of October is implemented swiftly and in full. As well as resolving the current difficulties, this strategy aims to put in place the necessary foundations for a strengthened euro area.