Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I was expressing some temptation to depression at the tone in some of the contributions, that we will all be ruined before the night is out. I make it clear to Deputy Martin that the Government's position in respect of the common consolidated tax base has not changed. We are opposed to it. We do not favour it. There is a proposal from the European Commission that puts the issue on the table. That must be discussed but in the discussion of the proposal the Government's position is very clear. I agree with Deputy Martin that Ireland has put a great deal on the table. The Government position on the proposal has not changed and we have been clear about the rate of corporation tax. This is a different dimension of the same point and Deputy Martin validly made the connection between the two. We have made it clear that we will not agree to a reduction in the rate of corporation tax. I appreciate the support from the House on the matter. Our position on the common consolidated tax base has not changed even though it is up for discussion. We are opposed to the common consolidated tax base.

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