Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Of course people in the European Union criticise the Taoiseach's corporation tax policy. Why would they not? The Taoiseach has been instrumental in causing a race to the bottom in corporation rates within the European Union and in a wider sense. For example, the Taoiseach has cosseted, in the same manner as everyone else, Proctor and Gamble, which is a fabulously profitable corporation. However, its workers are being put through the wringer today because much wants more. Apparently, although Members have not heard the latest, it wants to abandon Ireland for other pastures, where a corporation tax rate of zero applies — the direction in which the Taoiseach's policy is going. There will be a bitter fruit to be reaped from the Taoiseach's corporation tax policy. One sees the spectacle of the likes of Mr. Gates of Microsoft, who struts the world stage as a magnificent philanthropist. However, he avails of Ireland's tax law for blatant tax avoidance——

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