Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On the last matter, Deputy Martin is aware of the position in so far as Britain is concerned. I thought it important to apprise the Prime Minister of the position in so far as Ireland and its negotiations were concerned. Clearly, the question of the dates that are set for the recurrence of the payments is an issue. Suffice it to say, however, the Government is well aware of the scale of the negotiations that must be carried out regarding the other €27 billion involved in this issue. As I stated to Deputy Martin, I already have made plain the Government seeks a lower interest rate over a longer period, which would allow it to deal with its deficit and would make it easier for the State to pay its debts.

It is true the IFSC is an important element of the economy with more than 30,000 people employed. The report I launched last year, which was prepared by the industry itself, indicated the creation of up to 10,000 jobs within five years, some of which would deal with new financial products, such as green finance or the fast-growing Islamic finance sector and so on. As Deputy Martin has pointed out, one would place significant elements of this industry at serious competitive disadvantage were a transaction tax applicable here and not in London. For this reason, the Government has made clear its position in this regard.

In respect of the Ballymurphy case, I note that 40 years have elapsed and questions have been raised over the years in this regard. There is merit in the Deputy's suggestion that perhaps some preparatory work should be done here. The request from the Ballymurphy families to the British Government was for an independent international inquiry into the circumstances of the Ballymurphy incident. However, the Secretary of State, Mr. Paterson, has informed the families it is not the intention of the British Government to carry out or initiate such an inquiry and I take note of that point. Obviously, I will fix an appropriate time to meet the Ballymurphy families when I next go to Belfast. I thank the Deputy for the suggestion.

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