Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to enter into a double taxation agreement with Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2885/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As has been outlined to this House before by my colleagues in Government, Ireland, along with all EU partners, adheres to the "One China" policy and as a result does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This does not, however, preclude the development of economic and trade relations. Ireland, together with our EU partners, sees the benefit of encouraging trade with Taiwan and will continue to explore all appropriate opportunities which arise.

Since Taiwan is not recognised as a State by Ireland we cannot enter into a legally enforceable agreement which would be governed by international law. However a number of other EU countries have negotiated commercial agreements with Taiwan along the lines of Double Taxation Agreements. Therefore it should be possible to negotiate an agreement with Taiwan that is consistent with this policy.  I can advise the Deputy that Double Taxation Agreements are negotiated by the Revenue Commissioners on behalf of the Government.

It is my Department's policy to treat double taxation agreements as confidential until they are signed, at which point they are published on Revenue's website.  I am informed that this is a normal practice for most jurisdictions which respects the confidential nature of the negotiation process. Officials from my Department and the Revenue Commissioners, along with their colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are currently working on this issue and we are confident of progress on this matter in 2015.