The Taoiseach has said that while he will be as constructive as possible in discussions with EU colleagues, he will make it clear that Ireland's 12.5% corporation tax rate is not up for negotiation.
Enda Kenny was responding in the Dáil to questions from opposition TDs about the continuing efforts to renegotiate the EU/IMF deal.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said the deal would 'sink' Ireland if it were not changed.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said plans to change the structure of the EU bail-out fund had been underway for some time - since well before the election - and it was wrong to suggest the changes were a result of the change of Government.
The Taoiseach said he detected suspicion of Ireland, despite our record of being supportive of Europe. Mr Kenny denied a suggestion from Richard Boyd-Barrett of ULA that the Government was 'backing away' from its pre-election demand for a renegoitation of the deal.
Hungary won't join euro pact
Hungary will not join a planned euro zone pact to co-ordinate economic policy, as this would require harmonising the country's tax regime, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced today.
The prime minister, whose centre-right Fidesz party has a two-thirds majority in parliament, said the decision was taken in 'complete national unity', in order to retain Hungary's independence on tax policies.
The euro zone's 17 members reached a preliminary agreement earlier this month on a so-called 'Euro Pact' to co-ordinate economic policy, which was to be endorsed by all 27 EU members at a March 24-25 summit.
In return for strengthening debt rescue funds, the pact - drawn up under pressure from Germany and France - foresees greater budgetary discipline and economic policy convergence in order to ensure that countries rein in national debt. Countries that are not part of the euro zone may also join the pact.
