Kenny lauds Creighton's EU Presidency performance
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has paid tribute to EU Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton despite her opposition to the abortion legislation.
Minister Creighton has been an outspoken critic of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill and it is speculated she could vote against the Government this evening.
However in an an address to the European Parliament today reviewing Ireland's seventh stint as holders of the EU presidency, Mr Kennypraised Minister Creighton for her work in securing approval for the Union's seven-year budget.
The Taoiseach said Minister Creighton made an 'invaluable' contribution to the negotiations.
"I want to pay tribute to my deputy leader or Tánaiste, and particularly to the Minister for European Affairs, Minister Creighton," he told the house, which included parliament president Martin Schulz and European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso,
"She's been a regular attender (sic) here in this chamber, representing the (European) Council and listening to the views of your members.
"I want to thank you Minister, for your invaluable contribution in bringing the MFF to a conclusion."
The Taoiseach urged the Parliament to support the €960bn budget, which will be voted on tomorrow.
Mr Kenny insisted the deal, agreed in the 11th hour of Ireland’s six-month European Council presidency term, had “struck a balance”.
“You know that the negotiations to this point were long and difficult and highly sensitive for both council and parliament,” Mr Kenny said.
“The result identifies the best way to ensure that the almost one trillion euros for MFF (multiannual financial framework) is released as soon as possible into the real economy.”
Mr Kenny said members of the parliament would have to consider a complex series of texts dealing with “important technical and financial matters” when they vote on Wednesday.
The overall €960bn euro package will be disbursed among member states between 2014 and 2020.
The Taoiseach listed the deal struck on the European budget as one of a string of achievements during Ireland’s term as president, which came to an end at the weekend.
He said he was heartened that in the second month of its presidency, Ireland helped secure commitment from member states to the youth guarantee scheme, which gives under-25s the chance of training or a new job within four months of becoming unemployed.
Other highlights included a mandate for EU-US talks on trade and agreement on a €70bn research and development programme.
During his speech Mr Kenny also told the Parliament that he is "very deeply a European".
He told MEPs that Ireland was making a journey to recovery and is well placed to lead a European Union committed to reaching the same destination.
"I believe that what we have achieved in that regard has bolstered the credibility of the European Union - its role and its work - in the eyes of our people and our citizens.
"Since we assumed the presidency, after a particularly torrid period, achieving and sustaining stability was and obvious and a key objective and goal."
