Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not want to interfere in the process of the French national elections. I spoke to President Hollande about our situation and about the fact that he has his elections this month. I do not wish to interfere either in the process of ratification of another country. As the Deputy is aware, like minded parties in different countries will put forward different views. However, while there was much discussion at the last European Council meeting about growth and investment, it took place among the 27 member states, rather than the 25 member states that support the fiscal stability treaty. The growth, investment and stimulus agenda concerns all 27 member states and cannot just be applied to 25 states. Any decisions on changes to taxes in respect of EU treaties require unanimity, and there was violent opposition at a number of meetings to issues like financial transaction taxes.

I do not wish to speak for the opposition parties in Germany, nor do I wish to interfere in any way in that country's ratification process, and I made that perfectly clear to the Chancellor. The Spanish assessment, the Greek elections, the French elections and the presentation by the Commission of its medium and longer term proposals are all part of the intensive political discussions now taking place and which will continue for quite some time. I have already made it perfectly clear that Ireland does not support a financial transaction tax, unless it applied in a global sense and there was no competitive disadvantage applied to the IFSC in Dublin that would not apply in London. Deputy Ross is aware that 35,000 people work in the IFSC, which is a fundamental part of the economic infrastructure of our country.

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