With issues including Mali, Syria, youth unemployment, and an imminent breakthrough over the EU's long-term budget, says Irish Minister for Europe.

Interview: A busy Presidency ahead for Ireland

What chance is there  of a breakthrough in talks

on the EU's long-term budget?  Many predict none.

Lucinda Creighton,  the Irish Minister for European Affairs,

that we will agree a deal at Council  on Thursday or Friday.

I think everybody  is prepared to be pragmatic.

I think all Member States recognise  the need to move forward on the MFF,

and to get down to the business  of negotiating with the EP.

Even the British,  having declared their position

from the level of budgetary expenditure  that the Parliament is proposing?

It's obvious that the overall budget size  will be reduced,

that the key policies  are still adequately funded.

It's not just a question of less spending,  it's a question of better spending.

but I think in terms of policy areas  like Horizon 2020, for example,

which is investment  in research and innovation,

there is a huge amount of scope to spend  those monies better, more smartly,

David Cameron's speech two weeks ago  didn't go down terribly well

on his vision for reforming Britain's  relationship with the European Union.

on David Cameron and, more widely,  on Britain's eurosceptics,

that perhaps would help  to narrow the gap?

A lot of the points David Cameron raised

are shared by many leaders  around Europe

and indeed by many governments  and citizens around Europe.

The need for greater  democratic accountability,

to enhance competitiveness  and to grow the European economy.

These are things we're talking about  as the Irish Presidency.

Is the prospect of Britain potentially  out of Europe a disaster-in-waiting

to say that it wouldn't have  a very negative impact on the EU.

We are very much committed  to the Single Market agenda

and we consider the UK  a vital partner in that process.

Mali was raised by the French President  in his speech to Parliament today.

Do you think the rest of Europe  is doing anywhere near enough

Many EU Member States  certainly don't intend or wish

in terms of the military intervention  in Mali, but they're supporting...

If the fight is to protect Europe from  Jihadism, should they not be doing that?

There are ways and means  and it's not always a question

of sending soldiers to the front line,  as we have seen in the response to Mali.

A lot of the support  is coming from Member States

who are providing logistical support,  and that's just as important.

We won't participate  in the military operation,

and I hope we might be  in a position - to send troops

for the EUTM, the training mission,  which is also very important.

It's not a question  of EU Member States going in

and remaining there  in the medium or long term,

but rather a short intervention,  which is the case at the moment,

led by France but backed up  by strong support and training

In that context, also greater support  for the opposition forces in Syria?

I think it would be irresponsible of the EU

to say that anybody who declares  themselves to be an opposition force

should be armed and receive  the full support of the EU.

I think we have to be very careful and  take an objective and reasoned approach.

When it comes to Syria,  I think the EU exercised caution.

We took our time, we reflected,  we got to know the different elements

of the opposition forces,  and there are many.

There is support being provided,  but it's a very sensitive balancing act.

But I don't think  we should take rash decisions

and we shouldn't take decisions  that potentially will escalate the violence

and escalate the number of civilian  deaths, which nobody wants to see.