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

It is good that the Taoiseach met the President of France.

4 o’clock

We have had strong relationship with France over the years, particularly in terms of the CAP, although France has always had an envious eye on our corporate tax rates and has made interventions that have periodically reached varying degrees of intensity. It seems we are now back in a phase where President Macron is focusing on the issue of taxation. The points raised by Deputy Haughey are important in terms of President Macron's ambitions for Europe and the set of proposals concerning EU reform and development. President Macron's position is clear, as is the position of many other countries. What is unclear is Ireland's position. The Taoiseach has welcomed some of the proposals. He has said warm things about the general idea of President Macron's moving forward agenda. However, the Taoiseach has done so in a very vague way and nobody really has any idea as to what is his or Ireland's position. It is time we had a debate in this House and a proper, detailed examination and, ultimately, articulation of Ireland's position on the agenda for the future of the EU, particularly in a post-Brexit scenario. I know that a public consultation process is ongoing but that has had very limited impact in more recent times and more innovative ways must be considered. Fundamentally, this Parliament has a role and we should be engaged with that agenda.

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