Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his very clear response. I am sure he will agree that our need to be able to determine our own tax rate is greater than ever, given that we will probably be most affected by Brexit. It will potentially have a disproportionate effect on Ireland in comparison to other EU member states. I tabled my question in the context of remarks made by the new French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. I congratulate him on his election, but during the election campaign he singled out Ireland's corporation tax rate and said he believed the gaps in taxation between member states needed to be closed. There have been other similar signals, although perhaps they were only given in the context of an election campaign. Does the Minister agree that our neutrality, our right to set our own rates of corporation or other taxes and the common travel area are red line issues for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations?

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