Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I acknowledge the Taoiseach's visit to the United States and his meetings with US President, Mr. Obama, were a diplomatic success. I compliment the Taoiseach and all concerned on this and I welcome the proposals, arising from the visit, for the strengthening and deepening of relations between Ireland the United States.

I understand the Taoiseach gave an undertaking to the US President that he would convey to the recent European Union summit Mr. Obama's wish that Europe should match the stimulus package of the United States to restimulate the global economy. One newspaper, however, reported the outcome of the summit was the rejection of the Obama proposals. Did the Taoiseach convey President Obama's views to the summit? What is his reaction to the fact that it appears the American package got short shrift in Brussels?

I welcome that President Obama was reported as saying he does not consider Ireland to be a tax haven. Is the Taoiseach satisfied, arising from his discussions with the US President, that no jobs in Ireland will be at risk as a result of any tax changes which may be made by the US Administration?

Concerning the proposed new visa arrangements and the position of the undocumented Irish in the United States, prior to his visit the Taoiseach spoke about a reciprocal visa arrangement similar to that which applies between Australia and the United States. Has any progress been made on that or will we see any progress on that idea?

Finally, in the course of an interview with CNN, the Taoiseach is reported to have said that he would welcome or be willing to accept a number of released Guantanamo detainees to Ireland. That is at variance with what the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been saying up to now. Will the Taoiseach confirm to the House that Ireland will be accepting detainees from Guantanamo and can he give an indication as to the numbers he has in mind?

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