Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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We now turn to No. 7, terms of reference of the sub-committee on global taxation and discussion on the motions submitted. The joint committee has a number of motions before it for discussion this afternoon and with the agreement of members, I wish to conclude this part of the meeting no later than 3.50 p.m. The motions referring to the sub-committee on global taxation specifically deal with the terms of reference conferred on the sub-committee by the joint committee. My recollection and understanding from previous lengthy debates prior to establishing the sub-committee was the joint committee had agreed the priority now was for it to examine the international taxation architecture and how Ireland interacts therewith. The effect was to build a report that had standing and, having re-examined the tapes of those earlier discussions, I can confirm the joint committee agreed this would be the case. It was agreed that in the first instance, the sub-committee would engage with the policy platform. This includes the Department of Finance, the Revenue Commissioners, the OECD and policy, academic and taxation experts. It was then for the committee to decide on its next step, once this initial phase concluded. Deputy Pearse Doherty specifically requested that witnesses not be confined to what has been termed "forces of the State" or forces deemed to be representative of what is termed "statist" views. It was agreed that the joint committee would invite independent experts to brief the sub-committee on its examination. However, it was clearly agreed not to invite the multinationals.

The joint committee is now returning to this issue and the motions were received in the following order: the motion tabled by Deputy Pearse Doherty, followed by motions tabled by Deputies Boyd Barrett and Higgins. I also note Deputy Dara Murphy submitted an amendment to Deputy Pearse Doherty's motion. While I will take the motions in the order in which they were submitted, the motion from Deputy Pearse Doherty and the amendment submitted by Deputy Dara Murphy will be disposed of first, followed by the motions of Deputies Boyd Barrett and Higgins, in that order.

For the information of members, if a motion is agreed to, the joint committee must make a report on the matter to the Houses. I now call on Deputy Pearse Doherty to move his motion.