Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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I thank Mr. O'Leary and his officials for being here. We always have a debate about corporation tax being paid by companies and one might think sometimes that companies only exist to pay taxes and serve no other purpose. I find such an idea frustrating, particularly when we consider how foreign companies are here paying corporation tax and employing thousands of people, who are salaried, pay taxes and spend money in the economy. The companies also invest much time and money in helping to build ecosystems and infrastructures in certain areas, such as gaming and the technology sector. Big companies like Google and Facebook also get involved in the local communities through the likes of the silver surfer project and other digital inclusion work. It is important to say this every time we raise this matter, as the witness did in the opening address and initial exchange. I will focus on the issue of resources in the IDA and how many people are working there.