Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Finance if there are discussions ongoing between officials in his Department and officials at European level regarding plans at European level to introduce a common consolidated corporate tax base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22476/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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On 16 March this year the European Commission, which has the right of initiation in terms of bringing forward legislative proposals, published its proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base. This represented the beginning of a protracted process that will involve a detailed examination of the Proposal, line by line, by all Member States at Council. Since the Commission's proposal has been published, Department of Finance officials, along with officials from the Revenue Commissioners have been attending the Working Party on Tax Questions which is the forum for discussions on the proposal. To date, my officials have attended meetings on a monthly basis in relation to the proposal.

Both I and the Government have made it clear that Ireland, like all other Member States, intend to actively engage in that process because only in that way can we absolutely ensure that all of the arguments are brought to the table.

I want to assure the Deputy that it is clearly understood that our engagement is strictly on the basis that taxation is a matter of national competence and that the principle of unanimity in taxation is fully respected.