Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Tuesday) accused Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin of trying to rewrite history by suggesting that our corporation tax rate was never under threat.
“Micheál Martin is desperately trying to criticise the Taoiseach by claiming that there was never any question mark over our corporation tax rate when this Government came to office. So why then, did Deputy Martin write to the Taoiseach in advance of the Stability Treaty referendum earlier this year, seeking assurances on a number of issues, including corporation tax? Deputy Martin even praised the Taoiseach in the Dáil in March for refusing to bow to pressure to change our corporation tax rate.
“Everyone knows that when this Government took office, we were being challenged by some of our colleagues in Europe to increase our corporation tax rate. Deputy Martin acknowledged this fact clearly earlier this year, and gave his support to the Taoiseach in his defence of the crucial tax rate. And yet now Deputy Martin is trying to rewrite history.
“The Taoiseach has successfully defended the importance of our corporation tax rate since he took office, sending a crucial message to international investors that it is not going to change. Those same investors had been left in an uncertain position by the actions of the former Fianna Fáil led Government, which drove this country so close to the edge.
“The Taoiseach understands the difficulties people are facing in their everyday lives due to the country’s financial predicament. This Government is focussed on fixing our problems as quickly as possible and putting our economy back on a sustainable track.
“It is highly ironic that having decried Punch and Judy politics Deputy Martin frequently occupies one or both roles by accusing others of political point-scoring, while that is precisely what he is doing. Fine Gael was elected to clean up the mess left behind by Fianna Fáil. That’s what we are doing, and Deputy Martin should consider whether he and his Party have anything to contribute to that process beyond desperate attempts at revisionism.”