Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the spillover analysis that was done. I welcome that and the renegotiation of the treaties.

I was trying to highlight that the context has since changed. Since that analysis two years ago, we have had both, as the Minister of State mentioned correctly, the Paris targets which have been set and also our commitments under the sustainable development goals. Would it not have been possible for those issues, those commitments and those global targets to have been considered at the time of the previous analysis? It may be that next year is not the time, but I believe that we will need to look to revise that analysis in the medium term. That is something I hope we can revisit.

I note what Senator Devine said. It is important to mention that the OECD BEPS standards are not necessarily the gold standard because the UN has put forward standards also. Many advocacy groups which have worked in this area, including Christian Aid, Trócaire and Oxfam, have highlighted that the UN standards are perhaps more rigorous in terms of ensuring fair deals for developing countries.

I will not press the recommendation at this point. I would merely note that while that spillover analysis was a positive measure, the time may be approaching when it may need to be done again if we are to ensure that we protect our international reputation and hold ourselves to the highest standards. The question of what are the highest standards is something we must keep under review.