Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his initial response. The concern in this regard is that a strategic and structured diplomatic offensive appears to be lacking in response to alarming statements that have emerged from Berlin in recent weeks and months. As the Tánaiste is aware, Chancellor Merkel and the Taoiseach made a clear statement some months ago in which the Chancellor reiterated her view that Ireland is a special case, enjoys special status and is distinct from the other programme countries. This is critical as we pursue our agenda of ensuring debt sustainability.

Mr. Joachim Poß, the SPD finance spokesman, made the following statement in the past two months: "The SPD's position is very clear: we do not support direct ESM aid for banks." If the SPD does not support direct ESM recapitalisation for banks, the chances of retrospective bank recapitalisation are even slimmer. Throughout the negotiations, the party has repeatedly and consistently, rather than in a few vague statements, raised the prospect of forcing the introduction of a financial transaction tax and a common consolidated corporate tax base, CCCTB, which would be an assault on our corporate tax regime.

Ireland has been mentioned repeatedly. It is small solace that the Tánaiste met Mr. Peer Steinbrück in February last in Dublin. We need to see a much more comprehensive and strategic approach.

See this speech in context