Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

86. To ask the Minister for Finance his views as to whether recent comments by the chair of the eurozone finance Ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, that certain eurozone member states spent their money on liquor and women were a reference to countries such as Ireland that were in a troika bailout programme; if so, if he contested these comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16373/17]

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

In an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on March 20th 2017, Mr Dijsselbloem, President of the Eurogroup, was cited as saying "that wealthier northern European countries had showed solidarity with the south during the euro zone crisis by giving them financial aid. But whoever demands it, also has obligations. I can't spend all my money on liquor and women and then ask you for your support. This principle holds at personal ... and even European levels."

The Dutch Finance Minister did not mention any European Member States specifically; however, his comments to Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung have been negatively interpreted in some quarters.

I understand that a spokesperson for Mr Dijsselbloem said on Wednesday (21 March 2017) that he was not referring to any country or group of countries and that "His message is meant for all eurozone countries. Solidarity comes with obligations."  Mr Dijsselbloem has since expressed regret that his remarks have caused offence.

It is my view that the comments attributed to Mr Dijsselbloem, and their subsequent interpretation, are matters for Mr Dijsselbloem to address.  I have no further comment to make on the matter.