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

I am glad, if somewhat surprised, to hear that this issue has not been mentioned. I wonder whether we have made it clear that we do not intend to move on these issues. We are firmly on the EU side of the table in these negotiations. The Minister has rightly mentioned that Britain intends to reduce its corporation tax rate to 17% by 2020. It is not just our corporation tax that makes this country attractive for inward investment. The most important factor is our educated workforce. We have a track record and a reputation as a place where companies can do business and employ people. I ask the Minister to keep it to the forefront of his mind that we cannot be complacent in this regard. We do not know what his new boss will do. I wish him well in that regard. It is very important that Ireland does not take its eye off the ball in case some of our more jealous European partners see this as an opportunity to squeeze what they might see as some concessions from us in areas like neutrality, corporation tax and the common travel area.

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