Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

"Unanimous" means we call it. This procedure is intended for a case in which all member states and parliaments are of the opinion that a certain issue can be decided by QMV. The need for complete unanimity means this procedure will, in all probability, be rarely used, but the key point is that even in these limited circumstances nothing can be done without the agreement of all governments and all parliaments. That is the point.

Our legal guarantee on taxation could not be clearer. The guarantee is clear in stating that nothing in the Lisbon treaty makes any change to the EU's competence with respect to taxation and, in particular, the right of member states to set their own corporate tax rates. Retention of unanimity in voting on taxation and policy matters was a key aim during our negotiations on the treaty. The aim was fully achieved and unanimity in voting on tax matters remains unchanged. The Senator should not try to cloud that reality as he did in his earlier remarks.