Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the effect an increase in corporate tax rates would have on the resources available to us and the choices we would be able to make, my view is that reducing corporation tax would result in job losses and reduced tax revenue. Deputy Boyd Barrett and I have differing views on the matter. I will not reduce the corporate tax rate beyond the current level and the top line rate of 12.5% will not be changed. As other countries, for example, the United States and France, are reducing their corporation tax rates, it would be a grave mistake if we were to increase our corporation tax rate as it would result in job losses and reduced tax revenue.

We will circulate the paper on productivity to the Deputy. In recognition of the difficulty with measuring productivity, the paper seeks to assess productivity on a micro-level - in firms - to try to give us a better read of how it is developing in companies in sectors of the economy that are not integrated into global supply chains. I will send a copy to all members.