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Fiscal Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 July 2012

Thursday, 5 July 2012

Ceisteanna (46, 47, 48, 49)

John Halligan

Ceist:

40 Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the recent EU meeting on the European banking crisis, the relief Irish citizens may expect in terms of an end to and reversal of cuts and austerity measures over the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32758/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

57 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if following negotiations between EU governments he expects to be in a position to review the economic outlook in terms of the possible restructuring of this country’s borrowings or debt. [32868/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

58 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if and when he expects to be in a position to capitalise on the outcome of recent discussions at EU level with particular reference to sovereign debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

71 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has evaluated the extent that recent events at EU level are likely to impact on the cost and duration of this country’s debt and bailout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 57, 58 and 71 together.

Last week's announcement following the euro area summit in Brussels represents a major shift in European policy in terms of breaking the link between recapitalising the banks and the sovereign, a policy change that I have repeatedly pressed for at EU meetings. This message has been echoed by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and other Ministers in meetings with their EU colleagues.

The specific mention of Ireland in the statement issued following the summit is a welcome development and is the result of intensive discussions over the past year. It shows that there is widespread recognition for the measures this country has implemented and the significant sacrifices that Irish people have taken to bring our public finances under control.

This is an agreement in principle which provides an opportunity for the issue of bank debt to be addressed at an EU level. As the details have yet to be worked out, it is too early to say at this time what the precise implications of the announcement will be. There will be further discussions at the Eurogroup meeting on 9th July.

Preliminary discussions on how to separate banking from sovereign debt are underway but I do not want to prejudice them by commenting on the likely contents of any agreement at this time. Because of their complexity the discussions are likely to take some time. Our shared objective, agreed with our European colleagues is to break the link between banks and sovereigns and we are open to discussing any method of doing this.

In relation to the Memorandum of Understanding, the current position is that a budgetary consolidation package of some €3.5 billion in 2013 is set out as that required to reduce the General Government deficit to 7.5 per cent of GDP next year.

Ideally, I would like to see a resolution of the banking debt issue by the end of October but I think it is unlikely that the agreement reached last week will affect our plans for Budget 2013 which will be announced in early December.

This announcement is undoubtedly a positive development for Ireland. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that notwithstanding the very considerable negative effect State support for the banking system has had on the public finances, including the debt level, there remains a large gap between day to day spending and revenues. This needs to be closed so as to enhance further the long-term sustainability of our public finances.

Questions Nos. 41 and 42 answered with Question No. 11.
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