Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I am. When a member of the American Senate would try to downgrade this country in irresponsible comments, as they did yesterday, ti is very important that this House, a democratically elected House whose Members can speak for this country, should refute them. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, should fly to the United States, go to the Senate and make a statement to it. The truth is the truth. This is a very serious allegation. Ireland is neither a tax haven nor a tax shelter. Ireland is fighting for survival and this is an effort by certain elements in countries around the world that are jealous of our success in attracting all the multinational firms through the great work of the current chief executive of the IDA, Mr. Barry O'Leary, and former chief executives. I mentioned Mr. Padraic White.

It is very important that we would have a debate in this House. I ask the Leader of the House to arrange a very early debate, tomorrow if possible, if the Tánaiste is available to come and explain the situation. Let us show the files. The files are there and they are open. This is serious. When I hear Members of this House making points about Google, Apple and such companies without being conscious of the fact that Steven Paul Jobs co-founded that company, as a person who was then a Deputy and Minister of State in 1980, I know the facts of the situation and I can state categorically that I never had any authority to deal with tax rates.