Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would ask about the public procurement aspect. We know the printing industry in this country has been decimated in recent years, with an estimated loss of some 5,000 jobs.

I want to move to another aspect, namely, Ireland's reputation, which brings in the tax issue. I believe multinationals' idea of social responsibility equals more profit for their shareholders. How do they get more profit for their shareholders? They pay their workers less and they pay less tax. We know that multinationals are very adept at very aggressive forms of tax avoidance, channelling revenue through subsidiaries, including, unfortunately, through countries like Ireland and the Netherlands, with the various techniques they use, including the "Double Irish" and "Dutch Sandwich".

Ireland has been a voice internationally against illicit flight capital from the countries of the developing world but we have to lead by example. We have to co-operate with what the OECD and the European Commission are doing. The OECD is calling on all G20 states to implement the 15-point guideline in its action plan in regard to base erosion and profit shifting. I want to know whether the Government will confirm which key aspects of that plan it will be implementing and whether it will ensure multinationals comply so Ireland does not facilitate tax avoidance by multinational companies.

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