Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On 5 May, President Obama proposed major changes to tax rules for American companies operating in Ireland, and the Government is aware of this. The White House identified Bermuda, Ireland and the Netherlands as low tax countries that account for nearly one third of all foreign profits reported by US corporations in 2003. The President believes that the current rules that encourage US companies to take advantage of low tax regimes overseas need to be overhauled. Has the Government carried out an assessment of the major American companies based in Ireland and how they might be affected by this statement from Washington, in view of the great number of people that these companies employ here? Has the Taoiseach asked any of his Ministers to make direct contact with the directors of those corporations here to see how they are assessing the impact of President Obama's comments? Has he directed the Irish ambassador in Washington or his staff to make contact with the White House about how Ireland might potentially lose serious revenue?

When the Taoiseach visited the US recently, he launched a review of Irish-US relations, which proposed the establishment of a new Irish-American leadership council. What progress has been made on that? Have any further meetings taken place? Is there a scheme in mind or a structure to deal with the review of the relations between Ireland and the US?

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