Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I am not blaming anybody but simply making the point that the alternative motion presents the case rather better than Fine Gael. If the party wishes to press the issue, I will not cause a vote when there is agreement on it. I thank all Members across all parties for their contribution over the past two nights. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Martin Mansergh, was correct when he reminded us that we are in essence talking about a successful 50 year old strategy which has been upheld by various Governments over the years.

I assure Deputies that the threat to the corporate tax rate is not an invention of mine or this Government. Far from scaremongering about the threat to our corporate tax rate, I have used every available occasion to reassure the international investment community of the absolute commitment of this Government to the continuation of this rate. The Government has once again restated a commitment to the 12.5% rate in the national recovery plan published today, which has secured very broad acceptance and support from the European Commission. Deputies should put their minds at rest on this issue.

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