Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2012
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has had meaningful discussions with his colleagues in other EU member states which, like Ireland, have similar debt problems with a view to achieving a consensus approach which ultimately will be of benefit to the entire European Union as well as the indebted countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42527/12]
View answerIreland continues to be fully engaged in the process by the Eurogroup and Heads of State or Government on how the commitments of 29 June will be implemented. We are pursuing a diplomatic offensive which has included officials from my Department travelling recently to several capitals; my own visits to Paris, Berlin, Rome and onto the Informal Ecofin in Cyprus; and the Taoiseach’s meeting with several colleagues at the level of Heads of Government, including Prime Minister Monti, Prime Minister Rajoy and Prime Minister Samaras. The Heads of State or Government made two important decisions on 29 June. The first was to “affirm that it is imperative to break the vicious circle between banks and sovereigns.” The second was that “The Eurogroup will examine the situation of the Irish financial sector with the view of further improving the sustainability of the well-performing adjustment programme. Similar cases will be treated equally.” The commitment to equal treatment is very important.
All our interlocutors agreed that the imperative is to move ahead urgently to implement all of the important decisions taken on 29 June. We continue to work within that framework to deliver the best possible outcome for the Irish taxpayer.
I would also add that on the margins of both the Eurogroup and Ecofin monthly meetings I actively engage with my colleagues on an informal basis. Such engagements with our European colleagues also take place at and around the various meetings at official level.
