Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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On the 12.5% rate, I support it from the point of view that, on balance, we feel that it may achieve something, although it may not be fair. Unfortunately, the word "fair" has not been mentioned. The discussion has been about economics but in dealing with members of the human race the word "fair" needs to be brought into the equation. It has been missing from the discussion around taxation rates and international capitalism, and that is unfortunate.

The second question I wish to ask Mr. O'Brien relates to an issue that has been flagged for years whereby if taxation is increased there may be evidence to show that some workers at the upper end of the scale might emigrate. With regard to the scenario in which, if the upper rate was increased from 12.5% to 14%, multinationals would flee the country, Mr. Taft has shown grids and graphs in that respect, which Mr. Connor said he accepts. Where is the evidence to show that? Are there concrete examples of countries that upped their corporation tax rate, either the effective or the overall rate - obviously companies take note of the effective rate - and in which companies suddenly companies shut down business? We know that companies relocate because of wage rates. We have seen how ruthless companies have been when they squeezed the last drop of blood out of workers in this country, and when they can hire workers at a quarter of the wage rate in Asia or some other part of the world, they will move their operations there. That applies in particular to labour-intensive industries. Are there clear examples in which a government has said it wants a better effective rate or it wants to increase the overall rate and close off the loopholes?