Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

February 14th, 2012. “When you have to choose between bad and worse, you will pick what is bad to avoid what is worse,” – Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

In this quote, the Greek Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, sums up the immensely difficult situation that faced the country’s Parliament late on Sunday night last when it approved the terms of a new €130 billion EU-IMF bailout.

In approving the agreement, Greece has accepted harsh austerity measures. Complex political negotiations were underway as tens of thousands of protesters clashed with police outside Parliament in Syntagma Square.

After a nine hour debate, of 278 deputies present, 199 voted for, and 74 against the new austerity package required by Eurozone countries in order to secure the second bailout.

The high number voting against the measures and the thousands protesting outside the negotiations demonstrates the challenge Greece faces in the starkest terms.

Even with the Parliament’s approval it’s clear from Brussels that there is still work to be done, and as I write it’s still not certain that Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has a deal in place.

Mr Papademos voiced some hope after emerging from the tense Parliament session, when he said the package will “set the foundations for the reform and recovery of the economy”. With an unemployment rate of 21% and facing more stringent cutbacks, rebuilding the Greek economy will remain a serious challenge for many years to come.

The work of the European Parliament continues with a monthly plenary session in Strasbourg this week. Interim Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti will address Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday. Mr Monti recently questioned whether European politics suffers from being overly polite, which may not suit these more difficult times and in fact may perhaps have added to the problems.

New virus.

As always, there are new legislative reports to be debated, amended and approved this week. MEPs will discuss measures to protect our agriculture sector from Bluetongue disease.

We must remain vigilant against any animal viruses. Indeed, just last week, I urged the Irish authorities to be prepared against a new virus affecting animals and thought to be transmitted by insects, the Schmallenberg Virus.

While it is so far not considered to be a threat to humans, it is of concern to the livestock sector and there is a need for vigilance at this early stage. It has been detected in sheep, cattle and goats and has, to date, infected animals in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, so it is far too close for comfort. The EU continues to monitor this situation.

CAP meeting.

Information is vital in instances like this across Europe and for farm-level management. Knowledge is power and this old saying was reinforced to me when I attended a Bank of Ireland Agricultural seminar in Dungarvan on Thursday night last.

The many people who turned out for the info session were very keen to learn about the proposals and how they would impact at farm level.
The problem is that we are not in a position to give that level of detail.

In my address, I expressed doubt about the target date of January 1st, 2014 for putting in place a new farm payment scheme. That date looks increasingly unrealistic; implementation in 2015 would also be problematic.

There is the added concern that the new CAP would increase associated administration costs by 15% for Member States, which is another concern that needs to be considered. Following political agreement on the reforms, Member States would need 18-24 months to put in place changes to information systems and procedures, causing further delay.

These are obvious hurdles facing the scheme but the European Commission must also be mindful of the need to effectively communicate the details to farmers. The reforms are complex and farmers need time to understand and assess the direction of the proposals. It is very clear that we all have a duty to inform and educate the public about what is on the table. We also have a duty to listen and learn directly from farmers about their concerns. That is why the Waterford meeting was so helpful from my perspective.

Speaking of taking time out, many school-children in Ireland are enjoying a mid-term break from school work this week. It’s such a pity that the European Parliament cannot organise its business around the Irish school calendar. Ironically the Parliament has a constituency week next week – so I’m at home when the schools re-open, and away when they are off – bad timing!

Mairead with Castlecool Managing Director, Paul Shortt

7th February 2012

 When we choose a meal in a restaurant, we rarely think about how the food on our plate came to be there. So, it was very interesting to learn about the logistics of the food industry during a visit to an Irish company, Castlecool http://www.castlecool.ie/which provides an incredible yet almost invisible service (from a consumer perspective) to several layers of the food supply chain.

Castlecool is a national distribution and logistics specialist which recently expanded its Food and Business Park development at Lough Egish, Co Monaghan. Managing Director Paul Shortt gave me a tour of the facility last week and explained how his firm services the food industry in Ireland.

The company provides what it calls a full end-to-end solution for food and beverage companies, sourcing and delivering any food or ingredient required by restaurants, supermarkets, shops, food manufacturers and catering companies. The system is so advanced that a restaurant can fax a copy of ingredients for its menu to Castlecool and overnight the process of putting together the basket of ingredients is set in train with delivery the next day – to any of the top restaurants in Ireland.

Castlecool is an excellent example of the type of customer-driven, business focused innovative companies delivering specific services to the food supply chain.

The importance of food quality and health were reinforced last week when World Cancer Research Fund UK revealed worrying predictions for cancer rates across the EU.

The research group’s latest survey states new cancer cases in Ireland could increase by 72% by 2030, placing Ireland at the top of an EU league table for projected cancer increases. Cyprus ranked second with a projected 55% increase in cancer cases, followed by Luxembourg at 53% and Malta at 49%.

It was noted that cancer was primarily a disease of older people and the increase in Ireland is partly due to an ageing population as well as expected population growth.
The survey coincided with World Cancer Day on February 4th. It was a timely reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and being more physically active, factors which can help reduce our cancer risk.

The importance of a healthy lifestyle is something I am very conscious of as a member of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, which regularly debates and amends EU health and food policy.

One of the most important issues currently being considered is the Gerbrandy Report. Addressing bio-diversity, its proposals are extreme in comparison to the remit of the Common Agricultural Policy and are particularly concerning from an Irish perspective. I will be monitoring this draft legislation closely. There is an attempt within the Environment Committee of parliament to move beyond the current CAP reform “greening” proposals. This would be very detrimental to achieving a positive outcome in the reforms.

In last week’s blog, I spoke about the importance of being responsible Europeans and meetings our obligations. Again the Greek government is under intense pressure to reach agreement on a new EU-IMF bailout.
Greek policy makers are certainly in a very difficult situation, trying to respect the fears of their citizens under pressure whilst taking responsibility for the severe debt crisis in the country.

Leadership qualities were on display on Saturday last when I had the honour of adjudicating the Drogheda Club of Soroptimist International’s Public Speaking Competition.

The women’s group developed the competition 30 years ago to encourage female students to debate topics which define the ethos of Soroptimism. The speeches centred on subjects close to my own heart: the EU, education, health, civil rights, the status of women, economic and social development and the environment.

I was very impressed with the public speaking skills of the young women and their ability to deliver ideas under pressure.

Well done to all.

31 January 2012.   As I write I am awaiting a flight from Riga, Latvia to Brussels. I have spent just 24 hours in Latvia and had much to learn about the people and the history of this proud nation.

I travelled to Riga early Monday morning and met with the Latvian Minister of Agriculture Mrs Laimdota Straujuma, the Agricultural Minister of Estonia Mr Helir-Valdor Seeder and the Agricultural Minister of Lithuania Mr Kazys Starkevičius.

My trip centered on the concerns of Latvian farmers about reform of the CAP – more on that on another occasion.

An estimated 500,000 women worldwide and some 1,500 Irish women have been affected by faulty breast implants. Safety fears emerged after several reported cases of these particular implants rupturing due to the use of non-medical grade silicon by the manufacturer, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

These women are understandably very anxious about their health.
Most have expressed a wish to have their implants removed or replaced. However, medical opinion on the need to remove these implants has caused much confusion. The substantial financial implications further surgery poses for those affected has contributed to an already difficult situation. The EU has a responsibility to ensure any affected citizens have resulting health fears adequately and fairly addressed.

As a member of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, I was particularly shocked to learn that concerns over the safety of implants produced by these manufacturers were raised 11 years ago by US health officials who warned PIP that its products were “not in conformance with good manufacturing practice”.

The problem identified by the Food and Drug Administration inspectors over a decade ago related to saline breast implants – not the silicone implants at the centre of the latest health scare. However, both products were made at the same PIP plant inspected by the FDA.

The EU prides itself on traceability, safety and quality when it comes to food but this scandal has highlighted a very worrying lack of quality control in relation to medical prosthetics.

It seems the European Commission is likely to introduce a range of measures in the wake of this scandal, including a system of traceability – perhaps a unique identifier number for each individual product, unannounced inspections of manufacturers, retailers and users and a system whereby the authorising bodies in each Member State act uniformly.

Are these measures sufficiently robust to prevent a reoccurrence of the current scare? How do we help the women who are currently affected with redress?

This is a case of medical malpractice in its most serious form. Yet, the reaction and attention it has received or rather, the lack of – raises even more questions. If this scandal related to products used in heart valve surgeries for example, would we have witnessed a more urgent, helpful response?

There seems to be a taboo surrounding this issue because it relates to what is usually, but not always, a non-essential, elective or cosmetic procedure. But this is a medical procedure that is paid for and should be carried out with the highest concern for patient well-being.

International reflections

Last week, Taoiseach Enda Kenny addressed a group of financiers, economists and politicians at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Taoiseach addressed the sometimes uncomfortable truth of the financial crisis: greed. Bankers and speculators generated a property bubble and unrealistic borrowing spiraled out of control. Of course, worldwide events also fuelled this fire.

Mr Kenny has also reiterated his belief that ordinary Irish citizens were not responsible for the crisis and recognised that many people neither benefited nor participated in the so-called ‘boom’ years.

However, it is important that we address what went wrong so that we can move forward and learn from past mistakes. In that regard, it was a timely and suitable venue for Mr Kenny to reflect on the crisis when speaking to some of the world’s leading economic experts.

Yesterday’s Council meeting resulted in agreement on the details of a new Fiscal Compact Treaty.

For Ireland, this treaty may require a referendum; we have to await the advice of the Attorney General. As others have said, if a referendum is required then it will be held and could provide the opportunity for people to ask questions and raise issues.  Read the  TREATY ON STABILITY, COORDINATION AND GOVERNANCE IN THE ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION 

Anther crucial European issue remains that of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy post 2013.

My Latvian visit followed an IFA-organised CAP meeting I attended in Cootehill, Co Cavan last week at which almost 300 local farmers turned out.

It was fantastic to see such a high level of interest in EU agricultural policy. The local IFA branch should be praised for their organisation of regular meetings which help farmers stay informed and engaged on these important issues.

24 January 2012

The European Union has reached another significant milestone in its evolution, with Croatia voting on Sunday to join the EU. Over two-thirds of voters (66.24%) supported joining the EU, with 33.16% against membership.

For any doubters out there who question the longevity or prospects for the European project, this is a reassuring pledge of confidence – even though it is disappointing that only 44% of the population turned out to vote.

That said in these difficult times for the EU the Croatian vote to join the Union is welcome.
The old saying springs to mind – there is strength in unity.

Unity of purpose is also evident with a meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers in Brussels this week where the draft text of the new fiscal compact treaty is on the agenda. While no text has been formally finalised, progress is continuing. There have been several drafts but they key point of this treaty or agreement is to control Member States’ deficits – Germany wanted this enshrined in Member State constitutions but there are real concerns about this and secondary legislation is more likely.

We already have strict EU legislation on such matters and it is not entirely clear why this fiscal compact is necessary at all. But perhaps more discipline in national budgets is no bad thing – and is probably the only way for the EU to move forward out of the current difficulties.

At home, the IMF-EU-ECB Troika finished its quarterly review of the bailout programme in recent days. Ireland is continuing to meet its targets as was confirmed by this routine review.

This week also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Common Agricultural Policy. The CAP is one of Europe’s most significant pieces of legislation, governing our food production and security regulations.

It is interesting to note the changing focus of our CAP, especially as we prepare to reform the policy, post-2013.

In 1962 our primary concern was ensuring our citizens had enough food to eat. Today we are again realising the importance of food security with an emphasis on sustainable intensification of agriculture.

The year-long communication campaign includes an interactive website, a travelling exhibition, audio-visual and printed materials and many events across Europe. Click here to read more about CAP@50: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/50-years-of-cap/index_en.htm

Young people who are willing and able to farm are vital for the future of agriculture and it’s important that they have the opportunity to share their views on future agricultural policy. Today (Tuesday) in the European Parliament in Brussels I host a special meeting with the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) at the European Parliament to listen to those views and ensure that they are reflected in the final outcome.

Changing times were also evident when I visited Kildare on Friday to hear first-hand about the impact the turf-cutting ban is having in Ireland East.

Under the EU Habitats Directive 32 Irish bogs were designated as ‘Special Areas of Conservation’, banning non-commercial turf cutting on 32 raised bogs. Similar restrictions on another 23 other sites has caused huge controversy and upset for families who rely on turf for fuel and those who wish to continue harvesting tradition.

A special derogation from the law in 1999 had allowed a limited amount of turf cutting for domestic purposes on a small number of bogs, but this waiver ended at the end of December last.

The European Commission has warned that Ireland faces heavy fines if the new rules are not implemented. This is a very difficult situation and I hope that intensive efforts to achieve a solution will bear fruit.

17th January 2012

“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation” – Pearl S. Buck, first American woman to win a Nobel Prize for Literature, 1938

Anyone doubting Ireland’s chances of rebounding from this recession with renewed confidence and energy should have gone along to the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin last week. It was absolutely inspiring to walk amongst the exhibits of the very talented, intelligent secondary and primary school children from all over the country.

I went along on Friday and thanks to the excellent organisation of BT staff enjoyed a fantastic visit. It was great to see the enthusiasm and to watch the next generation of entrepreneurs and scientists, teachers, writers and policy makers take their first opportunity to showcase their potential. It was especially wonderful to have the chance to meet many of my young constituents from the schools of Ireland East.

Lydia Igoe from the Eureka Secondary School in Meath told me about her project which aimed to assess the mental health impact and stress felt by Leaving Certificate Students. Some of her findings are very worrying with a large number of leaving cert students under stress and a significant number with very low self esteem.

The findings by Katherine Murphy from Newbridge College on food labeling also greatly interested me, as the EU is currently assessing our food labels and potentially misleading nutritional health claims.

Other projects that grabbed my attention included one on the powers of estimation of twins, compiled by Georgia Dellow, Anna Dellow and Saoirse C Rawson from the Dominican College, Wicklow.

‘There’s an App for everything’ and now there’s one for literacy too thanks to an idea by Peggy Miller, Catherine Byrne and Anna Julian of St Leo’s College. These young women looked at how mobile phones and texting in particular is impacting negatively on children’s ability to write and spell correctly. Their project was fascinating and the three young women told their story with great enthusiasm. They have designed an App to improve teenage literacy skills via mobile phones. A must have!

All those who took part in the Young Scientist competition are an absolute credit to their parents, teachers and to themselves for committing their energy and intellect to the contest. Congratulations to the overall winners Eric Doyle and Mark Kelly, both aged 17, from Synge Street CBS, Dublin and their project entitled, “Simulation accuracy in the gravitational many-body problem”.

Ratings downgrade

On Friday Standard and Poor’s Ratings Agency downgraded the credit ratings of nine eurozone countries. No surprise in that decision which was well flagged before Christmas. However, it’s a reminder that the problems of the EU have not gone away.
The ratings agency was critical of the current responses to the economic crisis, saying austerity and budget discipline alone were not sufficient.

The eurozone has reiterated its commitment to resolving the crisis time and time again and is currently continuing to work on a new treaty in that regard. The unanswered question is will the new treaty and other new rules signed off on last year, coupled with strict fiscal discipline deliver results? There is an inherent conflict between cutting spending and economic growth.

The downgrade hinders the road to recovery by making it more expensive and thereby possibly more difficult to raise money. The rating agencies have not always been right in their assessments.

Parliamentary elections

Today we elected a new President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors of Parliament as it is now half-way through our term of office.

Since 2009, the EPP Group to which Fine Gael belongs has been represented by the Presidents of the three leading EU institutions; Jerzy Buzek as President of the European Parliament, Herman Van Rompuy as President of the European Council and José Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission. Today, Tuesday 17th January, the candidate of the Group of Socialists and Democrats, Germany’s Martin Schultz MEP was elected as President of the European Parliament winning 387 votes. His opening speech to Parliament was strong, defensive of the role of European Parliament and contained warnings about the risk of EU failure.

Compromise between budgetary discipline and growth is needed, he said and he warned against exclusion of the European Parliament from the process. The EPP Group continues to have a huge influence in the Bureau and College of Quaestors of the Parliament with 9 of the 19 seats; 7 Bureau members and two Quaestors including Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins MEP.

The EPP Group will also retain a large number of Committee Chairmanships in the Parliament.

Mairead and Teagasc Director Prof Gerry Boyle with members of the Agricultural Catchments Programme inspecting water quality monitoring equipment near Dunleer, Co. Louth.

10 January 2012

The beginning of each New Year brings new hopes and aspirations for the months ahead. After such a difficult year, many are hopeful for a more positive 2012 and greater progress on our path to economic recovery.

Much will depend on how EU leaders begin the year and we will all be watching for the outcome of the next summit at the end of the month.

There is some concern about the number of leader summits being held since the crisis hit. In my view we need more not fewer summits. Governing the EU and the Eurozone requires more frequent engagement by EU leaders on EU matters.

In a complex and ever changing world, it seems appropriate that leaders meet more regularly. I have heard some former EU leaders say that they now realise how little time was devoted to EU matters during their term as head of state or government and how important it is that time be devoted by EU leaders specifically on EU maters.

It is the nature of politics that leaders devote most of their energy to national issues, but given the need to stabilise the euro zone and the EU, it seems only right that a great deal of time be spent by the leaders of the 27 member states of the EU on making the EU work better.

This would restore much needed confidence of citizens and of markets – both key to economic recovery.

In my own work on the Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, the emphasis in 2012 will be on negotiations on the proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. These are the toughest reforms ever faced by the EU, in terms of policy direction and budgetary resources.

As co-author of a Parliament report on the ‘Direct Payments’ section within the legislative package, I have warned that the redistribution of payments between member states and between farmers within each member state must be handled sensitively in order not to disrupt productive agriculture.

Direct payments provide income support to farmers in times of massive price and income volatility. These supports have an important impact in every part of the EU and ensure that agricultural activity is maintained.

I took to the fields over Christmas for long and enjoyable walks with the dog (Sam). I even managed to get him to obey my commands, which is progress for both me and the dog!

I also took the time to catch up with important research work in the area of water quality.
Teagasc is carrying out some very interesting work regarding the Nitrates Directive Action Programme. I visited two of the research sites, one near Dunleer in Co Louth and the second at Lough Sreenty, Co Monaghan.

I was accompanied by the Director of Teagasc Prof Gerry Boyle and a team of researchers and advisers. The work will be vital in framing environmental initiatives in the years ahead and in deepening our understanding of the highly complex nature of water quality, soil type etc. and the many factors which contribute to good water quality.

Knowledge is key to putting in place effective policies and it is heartening that in both of these catchment areas farmers are co-operating with the projects and are keen to know and understand the findings. The co-operation of farmers is vital to the success of these projects.

20 December 2011    Christmas week is here and we are all preparing to travel home to our families as the European Parliament closes for holidays.

Christmas is reflective time and there is a lot to reflect on at EU level.
2011 will go down as yet another very difficult year for the EU and for individual member states.

European leaders have spent most of the last year working towards a long-term solution to the financial and economic crisis. Truth is there is no easy answer to this complex problem but some progress has been made and will need to be built on in the year ahead.

In the Parliament this week, (Monday), European Central Bank President, Mario Draghi, insisted that the Euro is here to stay. He was very firm in his comments saying that “I have no doubt whatsoever about the strength of the euro, about its permanence, about its irreversibility. But you have a lot of people – especially outside the euro area – who really spend a lot of time in … morbid speculation.”

I agree with is comments about morbid speculation – there are some commentators who have already written the obituary notice of the euro and the EU and seem hell bent on using it!

Those who engage morbid speculation have a duty to expand on what then . in other words if their doomsday scenario prevails, what will be left, where will the member states of the EU be, both financially, economically and socially.

Yes we are in very deep waters with recession looming in 2012, but given that we had the capacity to get ourselves into this mess, surely we have the capacity workingn together to get ourselves out of it!

There is always a great sense of ‘community’ especially at Christmas in Ireland. As always, we must remember how we can support our family members, neighbours, our community and those less fortunate around the world who are struggling this Christmas.

Community and the importance of working together is something European leaders should also remember when continuing their efforts in 2012. We are a Union of 27 Member States and each Member rightly deserves to have their input and views on the crisis heard. A truly, lasting solution to the crisis will come when all Members are fully engaged and supportive of corrective actions.

The Franco-German accent on all major issues gives the unfortunate impression that the EU is being run by just France and Germany. This is not helpful in terms of bringing all EU citizens along with difficult political and economic decisions.
The negative reaction to the UK’s decision not to sign up to the proposed new compact could have been expected, but some of the public statements around the UK decision were unhelpful. Much work needs to be done to rebuild relationships.

This week brought the sad news of the passing of the visionary, pro-European Vaclav Havel. The former Czech President and playwright played a central role in leading his country out of communism in 1989. Mr Havel’s life and his vision of a united Europe will continue to inspire many Europeans.

Of course, Christmas is a time to remember our loved ones who cannot be with us and to cherish and appreciate those who are.

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Duit.

Wednesday, 14 December.

Twitter provides a useful platform for comment and exchange of views and opinions, but it also gives a license for anger, rudeness and ignorance.

I have just read a tweet from a well known financial journalist who commenting on the growing black economy in Ireland mentioned that the black economy grows when personal taxes are too high and “politicians are even more cretinous than usual”.

She may be right about taxes, but I want to address her description of politicians.

Blanket condemnation of any group of people is simply wrong.

Letting fly at politicians is an easy option. I’m not suggesting for one moment that they should not be open to criticism.

But the power to influence comes with the responsibility to be balanced – perhaps a boring concept in the instant media world of today, where everyone wants to make and break news.

Sadly, however, many politicians will not challenge accusations made against them by journalists because they fear the backlash.

But if we politicians continue to allow ourselves to be abused in this way then we deserve what we get.

So Jill Kerby, I object to your terminology and your name calling. I would not allow my children to use such language in our house, so I will not allow you escape with such loose comment.

Why do markets and media analysts expect an “instant” solution to the crisis in the EU and the euro in particular?

I have been tying to get across the point that there will be no ‘quick fix’ solution. There cannot be. A crisis that took over ten years to emerge will take a long time to resolve.

It will take careful, co-ordinated and effective management, over a reasonable period of time, to stabilise the euro, the EU and individual member state economies.

So last week’s summit took a few steps forward – but it should never have been billed as the meeting to end all meetings on this very difficult and worrying crisis.

What emerged was not the outcome that many in the European Parliament wished for.

I am concerned about the move towards an intergovernmental approach and a move away from the community method to solving problems.

The emergence of a French/ German axis of leadership is troubling. It does little to instil confidence in the wider EU family. Small member states rightly worry about a perception that Germany and France are setting the agenda, rather than the entire 27 member state countries working in co-ordination. It is not healthy that this has emerged and it is something whish must be addressed.

In this digital information age of 24 hour news, huge pressure is placed on media professionals and policy makers alike to ’speed up’ the political process and provide continual, ’snappy’ updates. But useful solutions and answers are not dreamt up overnight.

The financial markets, like our citizens, do not want a frenzied ‘quick-fix’ solution but a meaningful, effective one. The political process quite rightly takes time to allow for a democratic exchange of views and for a detailed exploration of all possibilities.

Just as we need to reassure the markets, we should also prioritise reassuring our citizens. Confidence in the EU and in the euro is low.

But expectations for an overnight solution are unrealistic. The solid commitment of euro zone countries to stabilising the economy is very real.

That determination was made clear during the EPP Group Study Days event I attended alongside Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Marseille last week, which focused on the themes of defending our citizens, economies and values.

Last Friday, 9th December, the European Council summit continued its efforts to set Europe on the road to long-term recovery. The talks resulted in an agreement on new measures to ensure greater budgetary control across the EU. 26 of the 27 member states agreed to adopt the strengthened rules, with the UK opting out.

This intergovernmental agreement or ‘fiscal compact’ will include a commitment to ensure national budgets are balanced or the annual structural deficit does not exceed 0.5% of GDP. Greater emphasis is placed on fiscal responsibility with the Commission taking a more important role in terms of oversight of euro zone budgets and deficits.

All of the current issues leading to global uncertainty demand new approaches and a new way of thinking. They require a deeper understanding of the complexities of the issues and the interconnectedness of global economies.

Tuesday, 22 November.   

The Eurobonds issue will be top of the agenda this week with the publication tomorrow (Wednesday) of a Green paper on the issue, which remains deeply contentious.

Yesterday one of the most vociferous opponents of eurobonds, the European Central Bank’s Jürgen Stark, was in Dublin saying he believes that such bonds should only be considered in a situation where there was greater political union between member states.

This weekend the financial crisis saw yet another European government topple. The people of Spain joined a list of indebted European populations to remove their government and vote in a new one. And the list looks set to grow as Europeans become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress being made to solve the on-going debt crisis.

The turmoil in the eurozone has also brought about the removal of two Prime Ministers – Silvio Berlusconi in Italy and George Papandreou in Greece. Having reached agreement on the austerity measures his country would take Papandreou changed his stance by announcing back home that he would hold a referendum on it. However, the very public dressing down he received at the Cannes G20 summit from both Sarkozy and Merkel, marked a very uneasy moment for many across Europe.

His going was quickly followed by that of Berlusconi.

For some this “interference” in domestic political life has deepened suspicion and concerns about the degree of control being exerted by Germany and France.

However, for others it is the inevitable consequence of the failure of the respective governments involved to get to grips with the economic crisis in their countries.

The key is to ensure that the people of Italy and Greece agree with the developments and get a chance in the near future to vote for a government of their own choosing. It is some indictment of politics in Italy that there is no politician in the Italian cabinet.

A realignment of power in the European Union is needed. France and Germany must recognise openly that it was wrong to attempt to blame countries on the periphery for what is now clearly a systemic European problem. Indeed the divergence between the two countries is now to the fore, particularly in relation to the role the European Central Bank should play into the future.

When our Taoiseach met Angela Merkel in Germany last week he was firm in his views about a solution and expressed concern about a rush to treaty change. We will not shy away from what is necessary once it’s shown to be essential for cohesion of the EU. It must be necessary.

The issue of journalism and press is to the fore with the recent high profile libel case against RTE, where a priest received an apology and compensation for a wrong done to him by the Prime Time Investigates programme.
We need to know more about this case – how did it happen?

A free and open press is important in a democracy but we see where in the UK the press is being scrutinised for inappropriate and in some cases illegal activities.

The media industry has a major public service remit to inform, educate and entertain and to make a profit. Standards are important.