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

For me, the success of this procedure is demonstrated by the fact it is in flux. The way I think something like this should work is that if standards are agreed and if countries meet those standards, they should not be on this list. If they do not meet those standards, they should be on the list, but if they take action to remedy the issue the Commission raised, they should get the opportunity to come off the list. For me, the fact some countries come off the list and it is therefore not a fixed list is the way I believe it should work.

The Deputy raised the issue of shell companies. Of course, it would be a concern if things like that are put in place to engage in extremely aggressive tax planning. However, the Commission takes this very seriously. I have full confidence in it scrutinising whether countries deserve to come off the list. For the Deputy’s information, 92 jurisdictions are evaluated to see whether they should be on or off this list. To put it in rough terms, if 92 are evaluated and there are currently nine on the list, this shows the Commission is taking the work seriously in this area.