Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am not sure what legislation is here, but I might make this point. I share everybody's view that it is important that we make every effort as a country to attract and provide opportunities for employment. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has decided, through the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to recall all Irish ambassadors and our IDA and Enterprise Ireland personnel to Dublin, probably in June, to have a thorough discussion about the mission they are on, the personnel they meet, the programmes and plans they have to meet companies, and so on. We will continue that. I have made this point to a number of CEOs, from those I have met individually to those I have had contacts from. In my capacity as Taoiseach when speaking in Washington, I had an opportunity to meet quite a number of those, as did the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in New York at the same time. I expect to travel again to New York in the near future to continue that work. I intend to meet the CEOs of major companies here and to use their experience in showing why other companies should continue to site and invest in Ireland. This is crucial for us and is set against the background of our intention to retain our 12.5% corporation tax rate, which every Member of the House would support.

See this speech in context