Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Deputy states the obvious in stating exports have been running at a surplus for 21 months and that the interest in investment in this country is still exceptionally high. I heard first-hand evidence of this when speaking to a significant number of business interests in Washington during St. Patrick's week, as did the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, in New York. It is indicative of the fact that countries are in a position to buy products coming from Ireland. I stated previously that Intel, one of the leading companies in the world, is currently spending €0.5 billion on expanding its plant in Leixlip to be in a position to compete for the next wave of fabrication investment. This will have a direct spin-off effect on Irish industries capable of meeting the very stringent demands associated with elements of the service industry in this regard.

The Deputy is aware that the European Commission has legal responsibility to produce legislation. The legislation on the common consolidated corporate tax base has been produced and Ireland will obviously participate in the discussions, albeit against a background of healthy scepticism suggesting a common base would be bad not only for Ireland but also for Europe. I will make my case based on that fact. The Deputy, as a former Minister for Foreign Affairs, is aware, as am I, of what this means for Ireland. It would represent a massive breach of trust.

I raised the question of the US Administration's view on taxation when I was in Washington. While I cannot speak for President Obama's Administration or the Republican Party, I do not see this as being a priority for either. The view that Ireland is some kind of tax haven has been dealt with, including by the former Government, and cleared up a number of years ago. This is still the position.

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