Cox: Kenny needs to think in terms of 'statesmanship' in EU meeting

A former President of the European Parliament has said with Fine Gael topping the polls, Enda Kenny needs to start thinking in terms of statesmanship, and not merely politics.

Mr Kenny heads to Germany today for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Pat Cox has said there are a number of things the next Government needs to bring to the European table for the future of the union.

Mr Cox said: "We need a system that ensures the stability and integrity of the euro into the future. We need sufficient funds to defend it from attack when the bond vigilantes go after it.

"We need to insist that the stress test being conducted by and for the European Central Bank on European banks is a substantial and meaningful test. The last test lacked all market credibility."

The Fine Gael leader will be discussing Ireland's economic position and gaining insight into Mrs Merkel's perspective on our situation.

He is expected to tell her that his party will want to re-negotiate the terms of the EU-IMF deal for Ireland, if they get into government.