Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik spoke about the revised model of ministerial appointments to State boards and it represents a good day's work. The decision was made by the Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, that all vacancies on State boards must be advertised openly on the State boards portal operated by the Public Appointments Service. Candidates must meet specific and detailed criteria determined by the relevant Minister to be necessary for the effective performance of a role. They must also be processed through a transparent assessment system designed and implemented by the independent Public Appointments Service to support the relevant Minister in making appointments to State boards under his or her remit. These requirements will provide a credible, transparent and robust appointments model that will ensure vacancies on State boards are filled by candidates of the high calibre that is required to successfully perform the challenging roles involved. This is what people want and this is what they will get.

Senator Quinn raised a point he made some weeks ago on embracing new technology with regard to tax discs, insurance and so on. He also raised the need for more people to become involved in assisting small business through crowd funding.

Senator Gilroy spoke of the filling of vacancies at a Cork hospital and called for a debate on mental health. I have sought this debate and hope the Minister will accede to the request soon.

Senators O'Donovan and Comiskey raised the issue of fees for nurses and this is something that should be raised with the Irish Nursing Board. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister.

Senator Landy spoke of difficulties relating to estates that are not taken over by local authorities and I am sure he will raise this with the Tipperary man who is Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly.

Regarding Senator Norris's points, I addressed yesterday, in reply to Senator Cullinane, the issue of statements made by the driver for the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Paudie Coffey.

Senator Burke spoke of 1,100 people appointed without interview to fill temporary vacancies in the Health Service Executive, HSE, who were then employed on a full-time basis. The recruitment embargo has created difficulties and I agree that it should be debated in this House so I will try to have the Minister come before us to address the matter.

I agree with the comments made by Senator Barrett on the property market and he is correct that banks should assess all current loans. An exemption for the banking sector relating to freedom of information was raised and I am sure this will be discussed when the Freedom of Information Bill is discussed here tomorrow.

Senator Hayden spoke of developers and raised the failure of the Government to enforce Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the difficulties this has caused. I note her points and we will ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, to come before the House to address this matter.

Senator Healy Eames raised the voting process for the Seanad election. It will be a secret ballot, as she knows, and I am sure we will all accept the democratic vote that ensues. I look forward to working with the person elected.

Senator Comiskey welcomed the new US ambassador and raised the need for a debate on the issue of undocumented Irish people in America, which was raised in the House yesterday. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will come before this House in two weeks to speak on Syria, Iraq and the issues he addressed when the Seanad was recalled. I have also asked the Minister to address the issue of undocumented Irish people in America and to speak of his visit to the US. We will have a far-reaching debate on those issues.

Senator Michael D'Arcy called for a debate on the Irish corporation tax regime and it would be apt if that debate was held now, as the issue is under discussion throughout Europe and elsewhere. The Senator knows that in July 2013 the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, published its base erosion and profit shifting, BEPS, action plan, which represented a roadmap for work that will be undertaken on this project. BEPS is about tackling mismatches between the tax rules of different countries and aligning taxing rights with substance. Companies should be taxed where their substantive operations are based and this is in line with Ireland's strategy for attracting foreign direct investment, FDI. Ireland has never been and will never be a brass-plate location - we want real foreign direct investment that brings real jobs. BEPS offers more opportunities than risks for Ireland because, at 12.5%, Ireland has the lowest general corporate tax rate in the OECD. Corporate tax rates are a matter of national sovereignty and this Government is committed to maintaining this.

Ireland's competitive corporate tax rate, the availability of skilled workers and its reputation for business friendliness are huge advantages that other countries will struggle to match. As international tax loopholes are progressively closed, our low general corporation tax will become even more attractive. As we continue to improve our attractiveness in terms of knowledge-based investment, research and development and intellectual property, we can grow our share of FDI-related investment and the potential for thousands of additional jobs. I will ask the Minister for Finance to come before the House as soon as possible for a debate on the Irish corporate tax regime.