Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said in the course of my reply, we have invited Oxfam to meet the officials to discuss in detail the claims it is making. I agree with the Deputy that a lot of adverse comment has been made about Ireland and the tax regime of 12.5% here. A lot of this is driven by those who compete with us for foreign direct investment and it is not true. Many of the comments by certain Commissioners is misguided and based on a misunderstanding. On the other hand, we have lot of statements, principally from the OECD, which has confirmed that Ireland is to the forefront of its tax reform agenda and that Ireland certainly is not a tax haven and does not subscribe to any of the features of a tax haven. Clearly there is a risk of reputational damage from reports such as this, and my officials and tax people would like to meet Oxfam so it can justify the claims it has made-----

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