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

The benefits of an open free trade policy for Ireland have not had sufficient articulation. There are many issues in respect of job creation and so on.

The summit’s conclusions on the energy union are to say the least disappointing. Given our level of connectivity in energy and communications with the UK, an early statement is needed from Government on how it sees these areas developing as well as proposals for diversification where required.

I welcome the fact that the summit condemned in clear language the barbarity of the ongoing bombing of Aleppo by Russia and Syria. The fact that leaders failed to do anything other than issue a strongly worded statement on this humanitarian disaster is shameful. The people of Syria are facing another winter is terrible conditions. Millions are displaced and losing hope. If Russia and Syria continue as they are, then at east hundreds of thousands more will become homeless and will be driven out of their country. I am frankly sick and tired of the false equivalence we keep hearing from those who want to avoid singling out Russia for condemnation.

Let us remember something very simple. Russia is responsible for a brutal dictator refusing to hand over power to democratic forces. It is Russia which is using bunker-busting bombs to hit civilian hospitals and residential areas repeatedly. To compare this to the bombing by America and others of the inhumane and ghastly ISIS group is perverse.

It is a disgrace the Council failed to take a stand against Russia. The craven behaviour of certain governments, operating in the hope of some small commercial benefit, undermines them and the Union. The question for them is what Russia would have to do before they would be willing to take a stand against the Putin Government. It has already invaded and partitioned neighbouring countries, stood by while opposition politicians and journalists have been murdered, intimidated member states of the EU and funded right-wing parties in European states. It appears to believe the best way of promoting Russia is to undermine democracy.

Sanctions have been an effective non-violent weapon for democracies faced with regimes which flout basic standards. Sanctions were instrumental in bringing down apartheid in Rhodesia and South Africa. In recent years, they secured the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and a return to democracy in Myanmar. Sanctions targeting senior Russian personnel and the extension of Russian state power in Europe are the very least we can do. Existing sanctions have hurt and they should be extended.

Fianna Fáil strongly opposes the tone and content of yesterday's European Commission announcement on CCCTB, the common consolidated corporate tax base. It is manifestly an attempt to shift tax revenue to certain member states at the expense of others. The idea that taxing businesses more will increase employment and growth is absurd. The failure to produce a single piece of evidence backing these claims shows that it is purely about politics. Fianna Fáil will oppose any move by our Government to go along with these proposals. We will be demanding the Commission publishes the background documents which detail the impact on member states of these proposals.

See this speech in context