Dr. Donal Donovan:

The corporate tax rate is a politically sensitive issue in Ireland, particularly vis-à-vis the United States, where it is talked about a great deal. We all know of international companies operating in Ireland that are important to us but whose activities, good or bad, have attracted a great deal of attention in the United States. There is also a European dimension about which we all know. As Professor Barrett implied, if one even starts talking about this question, one could be accused of raising subjects one should not, green jerseys not being worn and so forth. This cannot be approached in the same way as a simple issue such as putting another ten cent on the price of beer. I happen to have personal views about the corporate tax rate which I certainly am not going to share this evening.