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

As regards the Deputy's first question about the revenue forecasts, the forecast we had began with a €500 million loss in 2022, building up by €500 million per year out to 2025. What has changed in these forecasts is that we are moving that to 2023, with €500 million lost at that point and not before. We are not in a position to revise our revenue forecasts as to what the loss could be because we do not yet have the full detail on what a final agreement could look like. The forecasts we are making for 2023 and 2024 are reasonable, based on the knowledge we have, and, at this point, I have no desire to change them.

On the Deputy's second question, I am involved in a negotiation at the moment. I have proven my commitment to standing by our rate by virtue of the fact that Ireland is not in an agreement at the moment and is among a minority of countries not in such an agreement. I am not going to speculate on what my final position could be on an agreement that is not yet finalised but my commitment to our rate is proven by where we are at present. The Deputy cannot, on the one hand, suggest that I am not committed to the rate and then, on the other, criticise me for Ireland being one of a small group of countries outside the current consensus. What I am doing attests to my commitment to protecting and standing by our rate. I am not going to speculate, in the context of the negotiation, on where things could be later in the year. I can commit to putting in place a very robust and strong defence for what I am doing, and I am proving that by my actions.