Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of individual structures applicable throughout the EU are sufficient to ensure each members states’ Minister for Finance or equivalent is sufficiently aware of the need for a cohesive and coordinated approach to debt and economic problems affecting all member states throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42524/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Every economics and finance minister in the European Union is a member of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin). Each month the Ecofin Council meets to discuss economic policy coordination, economic surveillance, monitoring of Member States' budgetary policy and public finances, financial markets and capital movements, as well as other matters. In addition, the Eurogroup - which comprises ministers of the Member States whose currency is the euro - usually meets the day before the Ecofin meeting to deal with issues relating to the Economic and Monetary Union. Furthermore, senior officials from every Member State meet very regularly to address a variety of economic, budgetary and financial matters that are essential towards the running of a cohesive and coordinated Europe.

Because of my involvement – both formal and informal - in the two Ministerial formations over the past eighteen months I can assure the Deputy that my European Ministerial colleagues are fully seized of the seriousness of the issues confronting Europe. As a priority, we are working towards developing a cohesive approach to the problems affecting all Member States throughout the European Union.