Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know but I am just referring to the view that people who stay outside the country might not return because of an absence of patriotism. It does not really matter to me very much what the internal thought processes of those people are; it is about the practical effect on the Exchequer in the long run. That is the crucial question. When I say that, I am not being cynical at all. For instance, we had a very close shave very recently with the proposal to change the 183-day residency qualification to allow very rich people to fling a few euro at this, that or the other by way of philanthropy and get a further exemption in terms of the number of days for which they could stay. That was very nearly enacted. The then Minister for Finance seemed to be favourably disposed towards it in an Oireachtas committee considering a Finance Bill.

Like Senator Higgins, I strongly believe we should have a fairer tax system. I believe equally strongly that we should not have a system that distinguishes between Irish citizens radically depending on their financial circumstances or what they have done in the past while. My theory is that an Irish citizen should be liable to some basic tax in Ireland, no matter where he or she lives in the world, if he or she has qualifying assets in Ireland or qualifying interests in assets in Ireland. Thus, one could not just emigrate to a tax haven and pay nothing in tax to the Irish Exchequer. That is my strong view.