Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know Deputy Martin is familiar with Zenith Technologies. It is doing a wonderful job and is an example of a company that is growing in importance. As a consequence, it is able to expand its business and employ more staff.

Prime Minister Cameron indicated to me a number of months ago that it was his intention to hold the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. He also stated he would extend to me an invitation to me, as Taoiseach, to attend. If and when his invitation arrives, I will be very happy to accept it.

I raised the issue of corporate tax with the American companies I met, pointing out that the issue is our business and that a number of other countries in Europe now have corporate tax rates below 20%. While some corporate tax regimes are more complex than others, Ireland's rate has been very straightforward, simple and transparent for many years. It is 12.5% and the effective rate is 11.9%. I raised this matter with all American businesses with which I had contact in terms of their requirement for clarity and a horizon against which they can plan. As we have pointed out at European level, there will not be any change in Ireland's corporate tax rate and we do not have any intention of moving away from it.

I noted the comments made by President Obama following the first meeting of the new US Cabinet. The Administration's focus is clearly on the so-called fiscal cliff, on which the Republican Party, or GOP, presented its options yesterday. I mentioned the difficulties and challenges President Obama faces when I called him on the telephone. The US Government is clearly anxious to have this matter resolved before the end of the year. I hope it achieves this objective which is in everybody's interest.

I did not have an opportunity to discuss immigration policy with the President, although I discussed it with the Irish ambassador who accompanied me in Philadelphia and Cleveland. It is important to allow the new Administration to settle in, as it were. Various members of the Senate and Congress have commented on this issue and the President also spoke about wishing to have a resolution to the immigration problem. I am aware that Deputy Martin and other Members have been involved in this issue and would like a resolution to be found. Once the President has been inaugurated again and his Administration established, this issue will be followed through as a priority. I hope in the case of undocumented Irish emigrants residing in the United States and Irish people who wish to emigrate to the United States that we will be able to follow through on a path that will bring about clarity and provide an opportunity to have their status legalised and be documented. This will be a major issue for the Government. It is clear from comments made by the United States Administration that it will focus on this matter. However, its priority at present is to deal with the so-called fiscal cliff. The Government will take up this issue in the new year, including in its capacity as the chair of meetings during the Presidency of the European Union.

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