Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the contributions he made at the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28379/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Taoiseach if he attended any bilateral meetings at the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28380/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the Chancellor of Germany, Ms Angela Merkel, since the recent referendum in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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137. To ask the Taoiseach the discussion held at the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015 regarding the 50% level of youth unemployment in Greece, and methods to tackle this issue in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28383/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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138. To ask the Taoiseach the differences in the suggested solutions from the European Union Council meeting in June 2015 to the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015 in terms of addressing the issue of Greek debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28384/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Taoiseach the discussions held on changing the role of the European Central Bank at the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28385/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, since the outcome of the recent referendum in Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28387/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Taoiseach the contact he has had with European Union leaders following the result of the recent referendum in Greece and prior to the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28388/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande, prior to the European Union Council meeting on 7 July 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28389/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 to 142, inclusive, together.

While, as I reported to the House in my statement on the European Council of 25-26 June, the situation in Greece was not formally on the agenda, Heads of State and Government urged Prime Minister Tsipras to make every effort to conclude an agreement and to put an end to the instability which was having a detrimental effect on the Greek economy and people. At that time negotiations were being taken forward with the Institutions and by Finance Ministers through the Eurogroup.

However, following the breaking off of negotiations by the Greek government, the holding of a referendum on 5 July, and the radical deterioration of Greece's financial situation, the situation in Greece was discussed at a special Euro Summit meeting on 7 July. At that meeting, it was agreed that the Greek government would, on Thursday 9 July at the latest, present proposals for a comprehensive and specific reform agenda for assessment by the three institutions and presentation to the Eurogroup. The Eurogroup considered these proposals at its meetings on 11 and 12 July.

After all-night talks, the Euro Summit reached agreement yesterday, 13 July, on a series of measures that will enable negotiations on a third programme of assistance, funded by the ESM, to begin. The Greek government has committed to legislate for a first set of measures by tomorrow. It is in everyone's interests that our Greek colleagues move swiftly with partners to ensure that the programme is finalised, with a view to providing certainty for the Greek people and returning stability and growth to the Greek economy.

The Euro Summit recalled that Member States have, throughout the last few years, adopted measures supporting Greece's debt sustainability, which have smoothed Greece's debt servicing path and reduced costs significantly. Against this background and in the context of the possible future ESM programme, they agreed to consider possible additional measures to ensure that gross financing needs remain at a sustainable level. It was stressed that nominal haircuts on the debt cannot be undertaken.

Throughout these negotiations, I have expressed Ireland's understanding and empathy with the difficult situation faced by the Greek people. I have highlighted our willingness to negotiate a way forward and achieve a sustainable solution that takes account of the realities of the situation in Greece, while also respecting existing commitments. I have stressed our determination to ensure that Greece can continue as a member of the euro area. At the two Euro Summits I intervened along these lines, and participated in the Summit's negotiations on the texts of the Conclusions.

The negotiations were undoubtedly difficult and Greece remains in a very challenging situation. However, if the agreed measures are now taken forward swiftly, I believe that there is a basis for Greece, with the support of partners, to return to stability and growth within the euro area. That is the objective towards which we have all worked and will continue to work.

While ECB President Draghi participated in the Euro Summit meetings of 7 and 12/13 July with a particular focus on financial stability and the situation of the Greek banks, there was no discussion on the general role of the ECB, nor is this in question. The ECB is, of course, independent in carrying out its mandate and tasks.

The issue of youth unemployment was not specifically discussed. However, the importance of supporting growth and job creation in Greece, as part of an overall agreement, was fully recognised, and is reflected in particular in the final paragraph of yesterday's Euro Summit conclusions which deals with the funding of investment in Greece.

I did not attend any bilateral meetings in the margins of the Euro Summit meeting on 7 July. Neither have I had specific bilateral contacts with Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande or President Juncker since the Greek referendum. However, I did, of course, meet and talk to these three leaders and my other euro area counterparts at the two Euro Summit meetings.

On 10 July, I had a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Renzi in Rome. During that meeting, we reviewed a range of issues on the EU agenda, including the situation in Greece, and discussed proposals to enhance our bilateral cooperation.