Address by Minister of State Roche
Assemblée nationale de France
COMMISSION DES AFFAIRES EUROPÉENNES ET
COMMISSION DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
Paris, 2 February 2011.

M. le President, Members of the Assembly, Mesdames et Messieurs

It is a pleasure to be here this afternoon, and to have the opportunity to exchange views on areas of mutual interest.  The timing is very apt for a meeting between a European Committee and a European Minister: we are between a General Affairs Council and a European Council.  You are no doubt aware that it is a busy time also for politics in Ireland; I’m sure you know that our Dail has been dissolved and a general election will take place in three weeks.  Even – and perhaps especially - in busy times such as these, I think it is important that governments and parliaments get the best information available.  There is much media reporting and comment on issues such as the current economic and financial situation in Ireland, but it is vital that decision-makers such as yourselves hear directly from those involved. 

“Two key policy options put forward last week by Fine Gael have already been shot down by EU partners and by the IMF”, Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche.

“In the run up to last week’s EU Council Fine Gael bombarded the media with two claims regarding policies which Enda Kenny said could save Irish taxpayers billions.

The two claims have been comprehensively dismissed by the IMF and EU partners.