Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept the assertion that Ireland is a tax haven and I do not accept that there has been a conspiracy of silence. I spoke to Senator McCain about both issues at the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington. This matter was never mentioned and, in respect of the business people I met in Boston, it is fully understood that this country is not a tax haven. Ireland's reputation internationally is something we value greatly. It has been restored, as has the sense of consistency and stability in regard to the corporation tax rate and, in respect of American investment here, our understanding of the talent pool we have in the country and our ability to cater for the changes that occur with the development of biotechnology, genetics, the Internet, nanotechnology and other areas, not to mention the financial services, where people look for creative, imaginative and challenged young people. They are very happy about that in terms of our reputation.

This happened during the course of our Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which had three pillars: stability, growth and jobs. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, had the privilege of chairing one of the meetings of finance Ministers. That is why tax fraud and evasion and aggressive tax planning were central features of the Presidency pillars.

Great progress was made on those. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, and Commissioner Semeta issued a joint letter to ECOFIN Ministers in April urging action on fraud and aggressive tax planning. They identified a number of areas. In May, the ECOFIN agreement on aggressive tax planning and good governance was concluded and acknowledged by member states. Importantly, the Council conclusions recognised that there are international tax issues which cannot be solved through unilateral action by individual countries. It will require collaborative and collective responsibility.

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