Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Does the Taoiseach feel this is helpful in the context of the forthcoming European referendum and has he had an opportunity to be briefed on these proposals by President Sarkozy? We have defended the Irish corporation tax rate as it gives us as an island some relative advantage in the context of mainland European Union states. Was the Taoiseach surprised by this development, coming as it does in the run-up to our referendum?

Regarding the discussions that took place on carbon emissions, has the Taoiseach got a costed indication of what are the implications for Ireland? The French representatives referred in particular to carbon leakage, whereby they are concerned about heavy industry moving from Europe to avoid carbon reduction regimes and perhaps to concentrate manufacturing and production, for example, of cement in countries which do not have the same approach to emissions reductions as the European Union.

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