Brussels, 01/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 1 March, the Irish prime minister, Enda Kenny, highlighted the importance of consulting the Irish people on the budget treaty and of giving them a “real opportunity” to give their opinion on the future of their country, as on the future of growth and employment. The Taoiseach would like a genuinely open discussion with the people so that they understand to what extent the stakes really count, he said, arriving at the EPP leaders' summit. On Monday, Ireland said that it intended to organise a referendum on the new European budget pact. José Manuel Barroso pointed out that what he wanted was clear commitments to growth and jobs, as well as measures for fighting against youth unemployment. He will be submitting the idea of project bonds to the Council, which will facilitate European level investment. The chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, highlighted the need to underpin “growth in Greece and in the European zone as a whole”. She concluded that improved competitiveness is a prerequisite “for reducing deficits and guaranteeing prosperity and jobs”. (SP/transl.fl)