Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the Taoiseach's meetings with Prime Minister Cameron, I am surprised that he did not discuss corporation tax with him, which is an important issue for the island of Ireland. Overall, it would enhance the attractiveness of the island for inward investment. Some people might have concerns about North or South of the Border but I believe, overall, it could be a positive in terms of the island and the marketing of the island from a foreign direct investment perspective.

When he met Prime Minister Cameron, did the Taoiseach raise the issue of the Prime Minister's proposed referendum on exiting the European Union? I warned the Taoiseach some time ago that Prime Minister Cameron would soon start talking about exiting the European Union and that has now come to pass. He is going to put the issue, an in-or-out question, to the British people. That brings to mind the need for this country to adopt a position on the British position on the European Union. It is not enough for the Government to say it is going to be damaging and so forth. We know that. What is our national position on the demands of the British Government regarding the European Union? What preparations are we making in case they go ahead with this vote in a number of years?

Are we preparing an Irish position on the future of the European Union itself?

Finally, I appreciate the efforts the Taoiseach is making with regard to peace money for special support programmes for the North. It would be helpful if the First Minister and Deputy First Minister adopted, for once, a pro-European stance in this regard. I remember negotiations some years ago when the advisers both to the DUP and Sinn Féin were delighted by the failure of the first Lisbon treaty referendum. It was the one thing they agreed on, despite the enormous sums of money that went to Northern Ireland.

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