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

We already have a series of very progressive taxes in Ireland. We have income tax, local property tax and ways in which we can ensure that those who have the most pay the most. Deputy Barry referred to a number of figures - €2 billion and €3.8 billion. He might indicate who produced those figures and where they came from because I have no doubt that very sudden and significant increases in how we tax large companies located in Ireland, be they Irish or international, would have a very significant and negative effect on our ability to attract and keep those jobs. Companies that earn more profit this year will pay more tax through the application of our existing corporate tax code and will pay more tax as they are more profitable.

The fact that we have seen such increases in corporate tax revenue at a time when the global profitability of large companies like this has also increased is a sign of how a simple and effective tax rate can be an effective collector of revenue. For all the reasons I have outlined such as our competitiveness and ability to retain these jobs, even an indication from me that I will prepare a report on this matter is not something I am willing to agree to. Deputy Barry might indicate the source of the figures claiming that we could collect between €2 billion and €3.8 billion more, which are very remarkable figures in the context of our total tax take and total corporate tax yield.