Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The common consolidated tax base is a dossier which has been in European circles for many years. The current Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union is László Kovács. I have attended a number of ECOFIN councils where the issue was discussed and I put the Irish case clearly and succinctly. It requires unanimity. We should not ascribe the fact that the dossier was mentioned in dispatches as being a determining factor as to why people should be frightened of it.

The bottom line is that the Commission has right of initiative since the Treaty of Rome. However, decisions are made at the Council of Ministers. In this regard, taxation matters require unanimous decision. We are not alone in having a view on this matter. Sometimes because an issue is raised we are supposed to run away from the horses. There is nothing to be defensive about in terms of what Ireland's position is with regard to this matter. Because it was raised it was suggested that matters could be coerced upon us and we had the demonising of the Union. Nothing can be coerced upon us in respect of these matters.

If a politician from Europe makes a comment in the course of a campaign here it is turned into a situation where Ireland will be penalised. The person is expressing his or her opinion. If it is a mark of frustration or a view on how things are, the person is entitled to his or her view, the same as we are entitled to ours. As we robustly express our views why should we be worried about what anyone else has to say?

I do not buy the argument that people should step back and say nothing about anything for fear they might offend us. I do not believe the people should listen to those who try to portray this as in some way inimicable to our interests. We live in a union of 27 member states with varying views on various matters all of the time. I do not agree with the contention that everyone should say nothing and I never suggested it to anybody. People can express their robust views any time they like and once it is done in a mutually respectful atmosphere I have no problem with it. I do not see it as something about which we should be concerned.

Regarding the WTO issue, we saw until the final day of the campaign a contention by Libertas that it would be decided by qualified majority vote. It claimed it could quote from text when everyone else, including the Commission, was able to confirm it requires unanimity. It never stopped Libertas continuing to assert the contrary. At no stage did anyone seem to be able to state Libertas was wrong. The argument was allowed continue as though it had validity.

Regarding our position on setting out the situation, I do not agree with Deputy Kenny. I reaffirmed existing policy. The fact it did not come any sooner was because I did not change the policy. As I pointed out in the statement it was a reaffirmation of policy. I understand the point was raised that it did not come any sooner. It did not come any sooner because I would not change the policy. I can provide clarification to anyone at any time about the policy.

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