The Finance Minister says Ireland's economic future urgently requires stronger economic growth in other EU countries.
Michael Noonan says Ireland's economic recovery will be led by exports but that Ireland cannot export if other countries cannot buy our products.
He insisted that stronger growth in larger countries like France and Germany is crucial for Ireland.
"Our economic model is export-led growth, and one can't sell unless one's customer's buying," he said.
"So our priority in Europe would be that the economies of Europe - and particularly the larger economies - would grow faster."
Speaking in Brussels, the Minister also challenged EU leaders to do more to address youth unemployment, saying failure to act would take its toll in the European elections in May.
He said failure to act would be "wind beneath the wings" of extremist candidates running in the elections in three months' time.
