TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny will discuss Ireland’s economic situation as well as Northern Ireland during his first formal Downing Street meeting with British prime minister David Cameron today.
The meeting with Mr Cameron will be a significant event on a day-long visit to London which the Government described as part of the Taoiseach’s “diplomatic offensive” to restore the country’s reputation internationally.
The meeting with Mr Cameron is expected to cover the relationship between Ireland and Britain, including preparations for the forthcoming visit by Queen Elizabeth. The leaders are expected to discuss Northern Ireland, the economies of both countries and wider EU matters.
“I will be meeting with the prime minister to emphasise our shared commitment to building on the peace process in Northern Ireland and to deepening the relationship between Ireland and Britain. We will also share our views on current EU and economic issues,” Mr Kenny said.
The meeting is expected to last between 30 and 40 minutes. Downing Street described the encounter as “an important meeting”.
Downplaying suggestions of a “diplomatic offensive”, a spokesman for No 10 said the leaders “will take the opportunity to discuss the European agenda but also Northern Ireland in the wake of the killing of PSNI officer Ronan Kerr. They will also be able to update each other on the . . . visit by the Queen.”
So far the British have been supportive of the Government’s efforts to defend Ireland’s corporate tax regime, on the grounds the UK objects to EU interference in national tax arrangements, even though the British treasury recently took action to attract back British firms who had moved from London (to Dublin and elsewhere) for tax reasons.
In a speech at the Bloomberg offices, Mr Kenny will also argue that preconceived ideas held internationally about Ireland’s ability to deal with the crisis need to be revised following the change of administration.
The Taoiseach will say that other governments, international agencies, the media, markets and business need to look again at Ireland. He will spell out the specific measures the Government intends to take to initiate recovery and is also expected to re-emphasise the Government’s commitment to the corporate tax rate in Ireland.
As part of the effort to improve Ireland’s profile, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore will also meet EU heads of mission today.
A date in early June has been set for the temporary recall of Irish ambassadors from abroad.
