Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the proposed digital tax, the Irish position for a number of years has been that it should be decided through the OECD. Given that the US has withdrawn from negotiations on the tax, it makes an OECD decision less likely. There is a growing head of steam around Europe for a digital tax. Is the position that we will agree to it under no circumstances, or are there some limited circumstances in which we would agree?

With regard to EU-wide efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine and the fact that the early-stage development of a vaccine by a number of pharmaceutical companies involves the experimental use of genetically modified organisms, was there any discussion at the European Council on a temporary lifting of the ban on the use of genetically modified organisms to facilitate this? What is the position of the Irish Government on a temporary lifting of the ban?

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