Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance his latest assessment of tax changes in the USA which might adversely affect Irish interests; and the initiatives he has taken to try to pre-empt such moves. [6275/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The relationship between Ireland and the United States is unique in terms of our political, economic and cultural links. The Government and I attach the highest importance to strengthening that relationship and in consolidating and growing the economic partnership between our two countries.

That partnership has contributed enormously to the very significant trade and investment ties with the Unites States. These ties benefit us both and generate investment and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. In that respect it is worth noting that while US companies employ in excess of 95,000 people in Ireland, Irish companies now employ in excess of 80,000 people across the United States.

The Government and I are always mindful of the need to continually update and renew the links between our two countries. This is especially important at this time in terms of the new US Administration. In that respect I want to assure the Deputy that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in Washington, has been monitoring and responding to all proposals for policy initiatives which could potentially impact on the Irish economy.

My own Department and the IDA also work in close collaboration with the Embassy in seeking to address various policy proposals including those in relation to taxation which could affect foreign direct investment in Ireland. Issues that may have implications for Ireland are subject to focused discussion with US policymakers within the overall framework of a shared commitment to promoting the consolidation and growth of our economic relationship.

There has been a lot of discussion around the potential impact on Ireland of changes in US international taxation policy. The fact of the matter is that the new Administration has not given any real indication of its main focus in terms of international taxation. However, any re-evaluation cannot ignore the substantial real two-way investment between our countries nor indeed the importance of international taxation policy to the competitiveness of US companies seeking to grow their business in Europe and beyond. We will be working to ensure that such considerations feed into the new Administration's deliberations in terms of the development of its international taxation policy.