Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his reaction to comments from the French President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, predicting that a two-speed Europe will emerge from the debt crisis, with some euro-zone states moving towards closer integration and the rest making up a looser confederation. [35500/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The question of the future direction of the Union is, of course, a matter for all 27 Member States. For its part, the Government has expressed its strong view that future arrangements must avoid fragmentation of the Union, including as regards the operation of the single market. Doing things together is what makes sense of the Union, while working together brings us closer and strengthens the ties that bind us. The key to our future is acting together and in solidarity.

At their meetings in October, the Heads of State or Government of the Euro Area agreed to reflect on further strengthening of economic convergence within the euro area, on improving fiscal discipline and on deepening economic union. They asked President Van Rompuy, in close cooperation with the President of the Commission and the President of the Eurogroup, to identify possible steps to this end, including exploring the possibility of limited treaty change. An interim report on this work will be presented to the European Council on 9 December. The Government looks forward to receiving President Van Rompuy's report and to giving it careful consideration.