Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am sure the Deputy is referring to the €1.2 billion in the Brexit contingency framework. If a no-deal Brexit does not happen, the money will not be used for any other purpose and would transfer into an improved surplus position for next year of 0.5% of our national income. We would see a swing from an expected deficit next year of 0.6% of national income to a surplus of 0.5%. We have discussed this kind of surplus and we have responded to issues raised by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. We need to bring the issue of corporation tax receipts more onto our horizon. Last week, the OECD published its public consultation paper on global minimum effective tax rates, and change is coming in this area. That change will begin to take shape in 2020, and in order for Ireland to maintain and further build its reputation from the point of view of legitimacy, we need to be inside the OECD framework and we need to get ready for the change by continuing to run budget day surpluses.