Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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212. To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with his ECOFIN colleagues in view of the recent developments in respect of the common consolidated tax base; the steps he has taken in the interests of protecting Ireland's tax sovereignty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9952/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission's proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base was published in October 2016 and an initial discussion on the proposal took place at the November 2016 ECOFIN meeting.  During the discussion, which was held in public session, a number of my fellow Ministers gave some initial impressions of the proposal. 

At December ECOFIN, Council Conclusions were approved in respect of the Commission's wider package which includes the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base proposal but there was no discussion of the proposals at that meeting. The proposal has not been discussed at ECOFIN so far in 2017.

Technical discussions between Member States on the proposal are at a very early stage.  All countries, including Ireland are examining the proposal to assess the potential impact it would have if it was to be agreed.  The proposal is also likely to be subject to significant changes during these technical discussions between Member States. 

As always, tax remains a matter of Member State competence and unanimity is required before any tax proposals can be agreed.