Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the content of his recent discussions with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20083/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As part of the diplomatic initiative, that I announced at the beginning of April, through which the Government has sought to restore Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union and to ensure understanding of and support for Ireland's approach to our EU/IMF programme, I visited Paris on 24 – 26 May 2011. The centrepiece of my visit, apart from attendance at the OECD's fiftieth anniversary Ministerial Council Meeting, was a bilateral meeting with my French counterpart, Alain Juppé, Ministre d'État (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry.

I had a good exchange with Minister Juppé concerning the rigorous steps being taken to fulfil our commitments under our EU/IMF programme. I was glad to be able to deepen my French colleague's understanding of the extent of the correction we have already undertaken and of our determination to succeed in the programme and return to the markets. I raised in this overall context and with a view to assisting Irish success, our wish to see the interest rate which applies to our loans reduced, in accordance with the agreement in principle reached among Eurogroup leaders at their meeting on 11 March. I set out very clearly that the Irish Government will not increase our corporation tax rate, as to do so would be counter-productive both in terms of our ability to attract foreign direct investment and to grow our way out of our current situation, something which is in the interests of the entire Eurogroup and indeed the entire EU.

France is an influential member of the Union and our two countries have extensive relations of long standing. I had very useful exchange during our meeting covering developments in the EU's Southern Neighbourhood, developments related to the Middle East peace process as well as the situation in Lebanon where both France and Ireland now have troops serving with the UNIFIL force. We touched on the issues of the EU's next multiannual finance framework and support for the Common Agricultural Policy, as well as the issue of migration. I also briefed Minister Juppé on our preparations for our forthcoming chairmanship of the OSCE in 2012 and raised Ireland's candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council.