Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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I want to clarify your comments. We are here to discuss corporation tax and that is why I am raising this issue. I understand that Ireland was disappointed with the original European Commission decision. You have now said that you are disappointed that the Commission indicated recently that it is taking Ireland to the European Court of Justice for not collecting the money before now. That is your second public disappointment with the European Commission's approach. Many Irish people support the Commission approach to how that should be handled although some would disagree with it. The only issue at stake in respect of the Committee of Public Accounts and the Department of Finance is the question that this money should have been collected and put in some account in the meantime. Naturally, all of this is pending the resolution of all those decisions and however long that takes – it will take a considerable period. Anyway, we are only talking about the actions of the Department of Finance in the meantime. It has nothing to do with the overall case. You have said the Department is working hard and doing everything. Although you have said the Department has kept the Commission abreast of the position, it is clear the Commission does not seem satisfied because Commission representatives have indicated that Ireland's delay in collecting the money as an interim situation is a matter for the European Court of Justice.

Nobody at EU level has agreed. Regarding the wider debate we will have on policy, it does not help Ireland's case that we are now being threatened by the European Court of Justice, just not to collect the money. Does the Department understand that it may not be good for Ireland's international reputation that we are now being taken to the European Court of Justice for not collecting this money? Mr. Hogan might not agree with that, but he can see the point.