Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We have a cross-party mandate on corporation tax which the Taoiseach agreed with all parties in the House before a European summit meeting. I do not accept his view that we cannot work to try to develop a cross-party consensus on matters pertaining to Europe and the national position. It is incredible, in the teeth of the worst eurozone crisis ever, that he appears to have indicated he cannot take up an offer of a meeting with President Sarkozy.

The Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, stated on Sunday that Germany would have to allow the European Central Bank to expand bond buying. She went further and stated Germany will change its position because it will have to do so. The Minister of State with responsibility for Europe is talking very tough in the Irish media.

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