Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his EU colleagues can reach consensus on the various issues now affecting the European Union with particular reference to economic and fiscal policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1949/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has now assumed the Presidency of the European Union. Our work programme will be formally presented to the ECOFIN Council on 22 January 2013.

In our role, we have a particular responsibility to ensure that real progress is made on the various issues now affecting the European Union. With respect to those dossiers relating to economic and fiscal policy, our programme will carry on the momentum built up during the previous year and focus on seeking agreement with our European partners on

- the legislative measures underpinning the banking union;

- how to advance the European Semester process, particularly with regard to the so-called “two-pack” of budgetary surveillance measures;

- the best way forward for the future of economic and monetary union;

- and a range of direct and indirect taxation issues.