Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government recognises that our official development assistance programme is an essential element of our overall foreign policy. A fortnight ago, Christian Aid Ireland produced research on Ireland's role in facilitating tax avoidance by multinationals in developing countries, with particular reference to a company operating here in a number of locations. The positive impact of Ireland's overseas development assistance is being undone and our role in tax avoidance deprives these countries of much-needed tax revenue. It is the same as trying to fill a leaky bucket.

In response to questions on the Christian Aid Ireland research, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, recently committed to propose legislation to address tax avoidance where such avoidance was not covered by an existing agreement. I would like to know if legislation is to be brought forward to address the tax avoidance identified by Christian Aid Ireland.

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