Seanad debates

Tuesday, 8 April 2008

3:00 pm

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

He would make a wonderful peace envoy for this country. He could play a very important role in respect of many issues relating to Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Tibet and Cyprus because he has retired prematurely. We will go into this again.

We are to discuss the Lisbon treaty today. I take issue with the comments made by Christine Lagarde, the Minister of Finance in France. Her proposal for discussions relating to corporate tax on the next Presidency of the European Union, which will be taken over by France in July 2008, is very unhelpful for the reform treaty. I welcome the clear statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that Ireland has a veto on tax. What the French say about it is irrelevant. Ireland's corporate tax regime is solely a matter for Ireland. If others wish to join us, we will welcome it.

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