Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Certainly I am in favour of lower trade barriers. The work of InterTrade Ireland is to do just that, to reduce trade barriers; both North and South, as export economies, favour the reduction of trade barriers in every way possible. Obviously, the more immediate concern of the Government would be with the possibility of the reverse happening, that there would be an increase in trade barriers between North and South should the British people take certain decisions. There are issues here that are worthy of keeping under consideration. What I said was that this report does not call for specific action from me but it is a worthy contribution. The Deputy is right. As I said to Deputy Dara Calleary, I welcome the move in Northern Ireland to adopt a lower rate of corporate tax. I think that will be good for the all-island economy. I welcome any efforts to reduce trade barriers. I welcome and support actively through my budget InterTrade Ireland which supports North-South activity but some of the wider issues, such as whether Northern Ireland would adopt the euro, are clearly not for me to consider. There are other issues. It is a worthwhile debate and it is a worthwhile report. It is worthy of consideration, and I read it on foot of the Deputy's recommendation.

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