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

I took part in a concert last night that was raising funds for two charities, one of which was the Capuchin day centre in Church Street and I listened to Brother Kevin make a speech. It was staggering to hear of the increasing numbers the centre is feeding and it was heartbreaking to listen to the stories of individuals and families who are engaging with the centre. We know the situation is worsening. We also know of the difficulties facing those with a disability and in our health service. We live in a very unequal society yet we live in the so-called developed world and can imagine what it is like for those living in the developing world. A major driver of this inequality is the economic, financial and tax policies of governments. What kind of society do we want to live in? If we want a fairer more equal society then, strange as it may seem, we have to apply morality and ethics to taxes and finance.

Last Monday, there was a very damning analysis in the report by Oxfam which puts Ireland in a list of 15 countries that are tax havens. While the Minister for Finance is very dismissive of the report, we have to take it seriously and consider it. Oxfam and other non-governmental organisations are highlighting tax injustice which has repercussions for our societies. Tax injustice comes from businesses, multinationals and corporations avoiding and evading tax. Over the past 30 years, the net profits posted by the world's largest companies more than tripled in real terms from €2 trillion to €7.2 trillion but that increase was not matched by a rise in corporate income tax returns. If we are serious about eliminating poverty, we have to have an efficient, well thought out and fair tax system. That means examining the taxing and profits of companies and large corporations because if we do that countries have more to invest in public services such as housing, education and health. Developing countries are up to three times more vulnerable to the negative effects of our tax policies than are the rich countries. It is calculated that they are losing $100 billion yearly as a result of this tax avoidance. Our role and reputation on the sustainable development goals will be completely undermined unless we commit in real and practical terms to the principle of tax justice which means a fairer world for everyone.

The Taoiseach gave a commitment to hold a conference and high level meeting on tax in early 2017. I would like to see a real adequate space for tax justice with the voices of those active in this area, who see the effects of the tax policies of the developed world impacting on us and on the developing world. There has to be an input from those tax justice people and a commitment to the principle of tax justice.

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