Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which ongoing discussions continue to take place at EU, ECB and IMF level to improve the arrangements previously entered into in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19536/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Review missions to Ireland by the three external partners, the EU, the ECB and the IMF (the Troika) take place on a quarterly basis. As the Deputy may be aware, a mission is currently in progress which began yesterday, Tuesday April 17th and will continue until Thursday April 26th. Verification of the relevant quarterly targets forms a key part of the mission. The Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to the Programme targets. Meeting these conditions on time and on target, is the best way to ensure that we emerge successfully from this programme, which is our primary focus. That will mean that we can return safely to the financial markets for funding in as timely a manner as possible. This is one of the principal objectives of the programme. The Government's commitment to the Programme does not stop us from seeking and agreeing changes to aspects of the programme. We have already done this successfully. The Government will continue to do so at the appropriate time.

Following each review mission, and arising from detailed and lengthy discussions with the Troika team during it, revised versions of the programme documents, including the Memorandum of Understanding on Specific Economic Policy Conditionality, are prepared by my officials before being submitted to the External Partners. It would be premature at this stage to comment on the possible outcome of these discussions.

However, it is also important to note that the relevant programme documents are made publically available at the end of the process.