Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The ambassadors from the European Union countries were called in by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and were given a very clear message that this country is open for business, that there is a new Government with a different set of priorities and that it is making decisions, which had been left in abeyance for years to the detriment of our people and our country, to repair the international reputation and status this country lost. That is all part of the work.

The Minister for Finance and the officials from the Central Bank and the Department of Finance have been in constant contact with their counterparts at an official level.

The Minister for Finance is accepting the responsibility handed to him and other Ministers for Finance by the heads of government to continue negotiations on the interest rate reduction.

The Deputy is well aware that when leaders attend Council meetings they do not do so on the basis of being the leaders of countries with 30 million, 50 million or 80 million people, but as equals. Obviously the Deputy wants to convey the impression that there is a new figurehead in town. The day after I was elected leader of the Government I attended the first meeting of the heads of government. Is the Deputy seriously expecting me to say I would lie down in the face of a requirement to increase Ireland's corporation tax rate and not stand up for my country and for what has the support of every party in the House? Of course, I would not lie down. If some people wish to write that up as a Gallic spat, a term I gave it, or to make it something bigger than it was, that is within their right to comment.

I attend those meetings on behalf of this country and have equal status with every other leader. The leaders do not attend on the basis of their countries' population numbers. We will continue to pursue these important issues where they should be pursued. In the meantime, we will continue to discuss and negotiate with those who have been delegated that responsibility, and I have every trust in them to achieve that.

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