Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Ministers. On page 29 of the summer economic statement, there is a footnote to the effect that changes to international corporation tax are not due to take effect until 2023 and that a Revised Estimate will be required in respect of the impact of those changes on revenue for 2022. The State and the Department had factored in a €2 billion reduction over a period. Can the Minister give any indication as to level of that reduction now? More importantly, can he provide some certainty in this regard? We discussed this issue at the finance committee yesterday. The Minister has stated his position in respect of the 12.5% rate. However, there is a lack of support for Ireland in these negotiations. Five countries are standing out because they believe this has gone too far. Is the Minister for Finance giving a commitment to the companies to which this relates that he will not increase corporation tax beyond 12.5%? Is that a commitment he can give to this committee and, more importantly, to those companies when these negotiations are concluded? It is a very simple question. Is he, as Minister for Finance, clearly stating that he will not increase corporation tax beyond 12.5% for the relevant companies?