The meeting between the Taoiseach and the US President in Dublin next Saturday will address global issues according to the Minister for Public Expenditure.
Jack Chambers said the meeting planned for Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park would look at the two-way relationship between Ireland and the US while also reflecting the Irish perspective on wider global affairs.
Asked on RTÉ’s This Week programme if that is likely to include talks on Gaza and the West Bank, Mr Chambers said the Taoiseach had demonstrated in Washington last March that he is more than capable of presenting the Irish position in a respectful way.
The minister said the aim within Government is to continue to deepen the relationship between Ireland and the US in the period ahead.
Just weeks out from the 6 October Budget Mr Chambers insisted that no decision has yet been taken on future carbon tax increases and the matter remains under review.
Listen: Minister Chambers on the budget, carbon tax, fare hikes
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But he stated that the Government is conscious of the rising energy costs facing households.
He indicated that there would be a substantial income tax package in the Budget but added that it would be moderate overall.
Mr Chambers warned that that any additional spending will have to be sustainable and he is seeking greater efficiencies across Government departments.
He said too that the HSE will have to take further action to curb growing spending and greater oversight controls will soon be imposed on the agency by Government.
The minister said that the overall ambition is to slow day-to-day spending over the next number of years amid increasing global instability.
On the issue of spending on public transport Mr Chambers said he expects the updated costings and pre-tendering approval for the Dublin Metro plan to be agreed by Government this month.