Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2020
38. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to use his new position as Eurogroup President to seek a mutualisation of debt and the creation of perpetual bonds to fund the post-Covid-19 EU recovery; if he will seek an expansion of the European recovery fund; the current EU funding streams available for draw down; the amount drawn down to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16290/20]
View answerThe Eurogroup is the body through which Finance Ministers of the 19 Euro Area Member States take decisions on policy issues relating to management of the Euro Area economy.
A key priority will be to build an inclusive and sustainable recovery that supports growth and job creation in all our Member States.
Subject to guidance from Leaders, as President of Eurogroup, I will be responsible for building consensus and charting a common way forward which has the support of all Member States.
The matters raised by the Deputy in his question will be the subject of further negotiations by European Leaders at a Special European Council to be held in Brussels on the 17/18 July 2020. An Taoiseach will represent Ireland at this Council. As such, a detailed response to his question is not appropriate at this moment.
What I can say, now, however is that Ireland agrees that an exceptional response to this unprecedented crisis is warranted, commensurate with the magnitude of the challenge.
To that end, we will be constructive in the negotiations.
