Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Labour Party in Britain is perfectly entitled to decide who it wants to elect and that is what it did. I wish Mr. Corbyn the very best of luck in his endeavours. Obviously, there will be a vigorous, enthusiastic and energetic internal debate about where the party is headed with that leadership and that is its business.

In respect of where Europe is moving, we have contributed to the base erosion of profit-sharing debate. The OECD visited here recently, looked at Ireland and said that we are moving in the right direction. Challenges still exist. Those reports will be published very shortly and we have contributed to them to be up-front with everybody in terms of our corporate tax rate, which will not be moving from 12.5%, but also in respect of other issues that were central to that debate.

With the greatest of respect of the people of Britain, they have not had the same taithí, as one would put it in our native tongue, in dealing with referenda on European issues. We have had referenda over the years, such as the Maastricht and Nice referenda, and people understand the relationship between the Commission, the Parliament and the Council. They have not had that opportunity in Britain with the exception of the referendum to join the EEC. Many people in Britain would not see the EU as a friend. Whatever the question is and whenever it is put, they will be the ultimate deciders.

As a neighbouring island, we take a very clear view that the EU would be stronger if Britain can remain in it. That is through the will of the British people. In respect of both Northern Ireland and our business connections, jobs and exports, it is in our interest that Britain remains in the EU and we are quite entitled to develop that argument. As I said to Deputy Martin earlier, where we disagree regarding an issue about which we feel strongly, we will say so very clearly. When the British prime minister goes to the European Council and says that these are the detailed proposals he is putting forward, we need to look at them carefully. I do not favour treaty change because it will open up a range of other issues not just for this country but for many others. It may be the case that when he presents his detailed proposals, they may not require treaty change in the first instance. For all the arguments concerning right-wing and left-wing populism, neoliberalism and all the things that swirl around in British political circles, at the end of the day, the people must mark the paper.

Irrespective of the nature of the question, it is in our interest for it to be answered by way of Britain staying a member of the European Union in order to protect jobs in the Deputy's constituency and to continue exports from his constituency to Britain and everywhere else. That is what I want the situation to be. In the meantime we will strongly defend our national interest where it affects our country and I have made that clear to the British Prime Minister.

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