Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The question I was asked in Cleveland was whether I believed there would be a united Ireland by 2016. I said I did not believe there would be a united Ireland by 2016 and gave reasons for that. On 12 October, part of the Good Friday Agreement was being implemented and demonstrated here by virtue of the work of the Ceann Comhairle and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, where the North-South Parliamentary Forum met for its first session. I also pointed out that in terms of the development of the economy of the island of Ireland, great co-operation takes place within North-South Ministerial Councils, which I chair, in areas such as health, education, transport, commerce, business and trade. The next meeting is in November. These are important elements and I referred to the effect they have on developing the economies North and South. I referred to the work under way by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the politicians in Northern Ireland in respect of the possibility of reducing the corporate tax rate to the level that applies here, 12.5%. I also referred to the fact that we have made arrangements for personnel from Northern Ireland to participate in the permanent representation in Brussels, so that they are fully informed and up to date on logistics for the Presidency, which will have an impact in respect of the multi-financial framework, possibly to be decided before the end of the year, and Common Agricultural Policy reform, which will fall within the Irish Presidency. From that point of view, it has implications for the agri-sector in Northern Ireland. That is the question I was asked and the answer I gave.

It is appropriate to continue our dialogue and work to demonstrate to people that the impact of the Good Friday Agreement can have a beneficial effect on the economies, North and South. Therefore, as a consequence, it has an effect on employment levels and job opportunities, which are the most important factor in our consideration. I am well aware of inclusion, in regard to the reference Deputy Adams made to Border polls, but the priority is to rectify our public finances, see that our colleagues in Europe implement the decisions made there, which will have a beneficial impact in this country, and to continue to work towards those so that we can emerge from our bailout programme and decide in a more individual way where our future lies.

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