The Taoiseach says he hopes progress will be made on the Irish legacy bank debt during the Irish EU Presidency.

Enda Kenny says securing a deal on the Anglo Irish Bank promissory note is the immediate focus of government.

The next €3.1 billion installment is due for payment at the end of March.

The Taoiseach says he hopes a deal on the Anglo debt will be concluded with the European Central Bank before then.

Banking Union & economic focus

The visit today of the President of the European Council - Herman Van Rompuy - to Dublin Castle is the first major event of the Irish Presidency.

It will see approximately 180 other meetings and events there between now and the end of June.

Discussions between the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and President Van Rompuy centred on the Irish Presidency’s plans to secure the foundations for economic recovery in the EU and enable job creation.

Particular focus was given to the Banking Union measures and effective economic governance to promote stability.

They discussed the business of the European Council over the next few months - including trade policy, and energy.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste also stressed the support of the Presidency in reaching agreement on the future EU financing from 2014-2020 to underpin growth and job creation.

Discussions also centred on the Irish Presidency’s objective of tackling youth unemployment, which will be the focus of an informal Ministerial meeting in Dublin in February.