Ms Morína O'Neill:

I thank Deputy Smith for his question on tax justice. There is a really active policy agenda on tax justice and now is quite a dynamic and exciting time in terms of the global tax system. As a result of the G7, G8 and G20 meetings, particularly the G20 meeting in 2013, the OECD was asked to consider the issue of tax justice. A practical project, BEPS, was started this year and will finish in September 2015, with a final document on its 15 action points issuing in October 2015. A number of really practical policy recommendations are being made by the OECD and we will be urging the Government to actively follow these recommendations. We are following them from the perspective of our solidarity with the countries of the global south. The first action point was dealt with last week. A report dealing with the first action point, taxation and the digital economy, was released on Tuesday, 25 March. This is a very good time to become engaged in the process of tax justice, as it has just kicked off. If members would like further information or briefings, we and our colleagues in Ireland who are looking at that area would be more than pleased to engage with members.

The specific complaint against the IFC in respect of Honduras has been recognised by civil society organisations internationally and the World Bank as a really serious case of human rights abuse. The board of executive directors of the World Bank, representing countries internationally, has accepted that this is a serious case. It would be good for us in Ireland to add a clear voice to that of other Governments. There is a process under way in which the IFC must produce an action plan on how it will deal with this issue. We would be very grateful if the joint committee would monitor and track progress on the action plan, because things can appear to be dealt with and then slip off the agenda.