Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Minister for Finance if the German Finance Minister made contact with him before the European Union Council on 25 June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26430/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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271. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Greek Finance Minister was in contact with him before the European Union Finance Council on 25 June 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26431/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

The European Council meeting of Heads of State and Government took place on 25 and 26 June in Brussels. The Taoiseach represented Ireland at the meeting. During the same week, a Euro Summit was convened at short notice on 22 June, which the Taoiseach also attended. In addition, special Eurogroup meetings on Greece were organised for Eurozone Finance Ministers on 22, 24, 25 and 27 June which I attended.

I can confirm that neither the German nor Greek Finance Ministers contacted me before any of these meetings.

I do, however, use the opportunity provided by the Eurogroup meetings, and indeed Ecofin meetings, to communicate with other Finance Ministers on a broad range of issues related to economic and financial matters. These can also be occasions to engage with colleagues in bilateral discussions on topical issues.