SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams said he was “flabbergasted” that an interest rate reduction would not be on the agenda for this month’s European Council meeting.

He accused Taoiseach Enda Kenny of reducing his role at the meetings “almost to the level of a commentator on these affairs”.

Mr Kenny’s responsibility, he said, was to put the issue on the agenda and have it dealt with as speedily as possible.

The Taoiseach said that ministers for finance would conclude the negotiations on interest rate reductions being sought by Ireland and other countries.

“If they fail to do that, and the matter is returned to the heads of government, so be it,” he added. “I have every faith in the ability of our Minister for Finance to do his part of that job.”

Mr Kenny said he did not set the agenda for the council meeting, although he would contribute to it.

He did not expect interest rates to be on the agenda because it had been devolved to the ministers for finance.

“If it comes up, I will be there to deal with it,” he added.

Referring to the rise in unemployment, Mr Kenny said every job lost was a tragedy for somebody and every job gained a source of enjoyment and happiness.

Considering the difference between the Live Register figures and the real figure for those unemployed, the jobless figure was very high in this country.

The results of the jobs initiative had not kicked in yet, but he hoped its impact would bring some relief to the figures.