Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a concluding statement but if I read it, I will not get to answer any of the questions that have been raised. To answer Deputy Crowe, the issue of our individual tax arrangements was not discussed at the European Council and there was consequently no discussion on any company based here. We defend our tax system rigorously. We have obviously made moves in support of international discussions on BEPS, base erosion and profit shifting with respect to the double Irish and the stateless nature of some arrangements.

Deputy Clare Daly mentioned the TTIP negotiations and we are strong supporters of the advantages that could arise for Ireland, the EU generally and indeed for the United States. Half the world's GDP comes from trade between Europe and the United States of America. Her specific question was about state dispute settlement arrangements. We must welcome the fact that European Commission President Juncker has asked Vice President Timmermans to specifically examine this issue. If Vice President Timmermans does not support the inclusion of these, they will not form part of the TTIP arrangements.

We had this two weeks ago from elements of the Technical Group during the debate on the terrible events in Paris. They are seeking to suggest that because there are other atrocities or civil breaches around the world, we in Europe should not play our part in identifying significant issues. The way Russia has treated the people of Ukraine, international law and the EU is deserving of sanctions. I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in July immediately after flight MH17 was downed, having left European airspace. I saw the pain and suffering reflected in Vice President Timmermans at that point. It is vital that Europe acts in a unified way-----

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