Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure how Deputy Doherty can derive the analysis of spectacularly failing in any way given that other finance ministers will make a decision regarding what is in the interests of their people and economies. That has what has happened with more than 130 countries. I can engage with them. If we are going to recognise that I have a prerogative here I also have to recognise that other finance ministers do also. I am making the case for our rate. I am making the case for the ability and role of small and medium-sized economies to be able to use a low rate as part of their competitive tax model. What I will do in the coming period is to continue to engage with the OECD. I will engage with a group of countries, including obviously our friends and partners in the United States of America. I will better understand what their own intent is as we approach October. We will continue to indicate that Ireland wants to be in the negotiations and in the process. For us to be part of a final agreement we have to have more certainty and more predictability about what that agreement will be than we do at present. This is the objective I am pursuing. I believed it was appropriate, with the level of certainty available to me approximately a week ago, that Ireland indicated we want to be part of this process and continue to be part of it but we could not for now be part of the consensus.