Ms Maria Walsh:

I thank the Senator and I believe we will be given time to answer the China question he raised.

When we discuss taxes outside the corporate tax debate that is ongoing, it often falls to member states and how they will play. In the next five years, not in the current mandate but the next, I believe we will see a more cohesive approach in member state competencies blending with European competencies around the family unit. We have mild discussions about it, particularly around LGBTQI, but, as a non-parent, I feel it would be unjust if I offered a note on the future of what Hungary is doing, particularly around tax breaks.

On the shortfalls in migration, unfortunately, we will see post-pandemic shortfalls in minimum wage roles. There is a huge opportunity for new members in the Union supporting that and answering the question around who pays for it when we retire. There is an overall European approach to that. Legal, safe pathways help. Not playing into current politics and keeping to the point of looking at the longer term, the way Germany and France look in the next year or two after their elections will play into how the Union will play in terms of tax. I wish I had a clearer answer to that but I do not. I will come back to the Senator when I do.