Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's reply is profoundly disappointing. Our corporation tax receipts are nearly €1 billion higher this November than they were last November. The overall corporation tax take is €170 million higher than Revenue planned for this year. This is happening when war is raging across the Middle East and when famine is taking hold across Africa. As we know, Ireland is the headquarters for many corporations, providing European, Middle Eastern and African bases. We use the term EMEA but we forget what it means: companies operating out of Ireland paying tax here are making profits in the Middle East and Africa.

Ireland is doing well as a result. There is a moral case to be made that, as we approach Christmas, a small proportion of the windfall corporation tax from companies operating in areas affected by disasters should be used to give something back. Will the Taoiseach agree to allow this modest 5% increase from windfall taxes as a positive goodwill gesture at this time of year, which would be welcomed by all of the people?

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