Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

On making the decision, the officials involved in doing the review are the same officials who worked with me while I considered this decision. I am therefore able to access their knowledge and wisdom on this as they complete the review. In any event, I have to look at the different policy choices available and, in line with them and based on the engagement I have, identify the policy changes I can make that would have the biggest effect in this area in the context of our competitiveness and ability to access research and development in the economy that will help with the creation and retention of jobs.

Although I am sure he will elaborate, I am not sure what information the Deputy is referring to which indicates that taxpayers in pillar 2 would also be those who will be most heavily using the scheme. He may well have information on that. Regardless, my expectation is still that it will be the larger companies that are inside the scope of pillar 2 that will also be the biggest users of the research and development tax credit. If the Deputy has looked at the information the committee is aware of regarding the statistics the Revenue Commissioners provide on the scale of companies that use the research and development tax credit, he will know it is companies with more than 250 people working for them that are the largest participants in the research and development tax credit regime.