Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a two tier Europe with an increase in fiscal and political union described by Chancellor Merkel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28972/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The question of the future direction of the European Union is, of course, a matter for all 27 Member States. For its part, the Government has expressed its strong view that any future arrangements must avoid fragmentation of the Union and that maintaining the integrity of the Single Market is a matter of the highest importance.

At the European Council meeting on 28/29 June, President Van Rompuy presented his report "Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union" to the Heads of State and Government. He identified four 'building blocks':

· an integrated financial framework;

· an integrated budgetary framework with commensurate steps towards common debt issuance;

· an integrated economic policy framework; and

· strengthened democratic legitimacy and accountability.

President Van Rompuy has now been invited to develop these ideas, in close cooperation with the Presidents of the Commission, ECB and Eurogroup, and to come forward with a specific and time-bound roadmap for the achievement of a genuine economic and monetary union.

He will examine what can be done within the current Treaties and which measures would require Treaty change. He will make an interim report in October and a final report before the end of December 2012.

Ireland has a very strong national interest in a robust and stable currency, in a strong and coherent European Union, and the Government looks forward to engaging with President Van Rompuy in this important work over the period ahead.