Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a comprehensive tax haven blacklist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48158/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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There is widespread consensus in recent years that aggressive tax planning can only be prevented by all countries acting together.

Member States of the EU agreed last year to draw up a list of countries that do not live up to international best practice on tax.  Criteria were agreed by Member States early in 2017 which are based on agreed international tax standards on transparency, BEPS implementation and fair tax competition, as well as requiring a closer examination of zero tax jurisdictions.

All jurisdictions were considered as part of this exercise and it was decided to begin a dialogue with 92 jurisdictions that have economic ties with the EU. The decision to begin dialogue with a jurisdiction did not presuppose any element of non-compliance by the jurisdiction concerned. 

At this point in time, experts from the Member States have reviewed the jurisdictions and have completed a preliminary analysis.  In late October, letters issued to jurisdictions informing them of the outcome of this analysis.  Where issues have been identified, those jurisdictions have been asked to make a high level political commitment to make changes to their tax system.

The intention of the list is not to label countries as tax havens, but rather to engage in dialogue and promote compliance with international best practice.  

I am hopeful that agreement on the first version of this list can be reached among all EU Finance Ministers at the upcoming December ECOFIN.