Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will finish up on the tax point. I note the Comptroller and Auditor General report last week. It is amazing how headlines do not tell the full picture. From pages 234 or 235 onwards, we can read the reasons there is an effective tax rate of 9%. The tax system for corporate tax is so clear; it is one of the simplest in the world. There are few or minimal reliefs involved. Does this come up much when IDA Ireland is marketing Ireland in terms of the negative publicity? It is reckless of people to put out information that is specifically and factually not true.

In regard to tax, I think anyone who is quoting the Comptroller and Auditor General's report should read the analysis of the companies that are below the actual tax rate. I note the finance committee had a number of experts before it in regard to determining what the effective tax rate of a company is, and no one can agree on it. How it is calculated gives rise to an incredible amount of disagreement. The IDA meets many chief executive officers, CEOs, around the world and I would like to know whether this negative commentary is affecting their view or whether many are aware of it.