Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am sorry I was not here for the beginning of the presentation. I was attending another IBEC meeting across the road; bilocation is still difficult. I agree strongly with most of Dr. Ivory's views regarding the future of Europe and, in particular, the attempts by some personalities in Europe to control the investment in this country by one means or another but by circuitous means more particularly. The proposal to force this country to collect taxes on profits earned in other jurisdictions is out of order and completely beyond the realm in terms of what Europe is about. If that were to prevail, it would mean that this country as a location for foreign direct investment would become very unattractive. I spoke about that earlier this morning and I want to emphasise it again now.

I would point out that we all have a role to play in Europe and in the future of Europe, and we should not be selective in that regard. There are areas that need to be changed and that can be changed by agreement. Some people believe that they should force the agreement, but that is not what Europe is about.

We must recognise also that Brexit is likely go one way or the other. I do not accept that we have to acquiesce to anything imposed upon us by any member of the European Union which decides to exit the Union and that we have to comply with the regulation that will follow. They have to comply with what follows. They are the people who initiated it in the first place and they are the ones who have to provide for the outcome.

My last point relates to borders, customs and so on. It cannot nor should it ever be possible that a country leaving the European Union can benefit as a result at the expense of the remaining members. If that happens, the entire European project will close very quickly. My belief is that there is an attempt to try to challenge that concept and if there is a break-off by a group of countries which see a different type of Europe, it is all over as far as some countries are concerned. I would particularly emphasise the vulnerability of the smaller countries. A man in a very elevated position said that a good bilateral deal is when we win.