Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the blacklisting of Ireland as a tax haven by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23055/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been ongoing engagement between Irish and Brazilian officials on the issue of Ireland being included on a Brazilian tax list. In addition, Minister of State Joe McHugh TD travelled to Brazil as part of the “Promote Ireland” Programme for St Patrick’s Day this year. Minister McHugh engaged directly with the Head of the Brazilian Revenue Service in a meeting specific to this matter.

The Brazilian authorities have again made clear that they do not consider Ireland to be a tax haven.  Ireland have been included on the Brazilian list solely due to having a standard corporate tax rate below 17%. I believe it is inappropriate to include Ireland on the list on the basis of our longstanding 12.5% corporation tax rate.

Officials from my Department and officials from the Revenue Commissioners continue to actively support the Irish Ambassador to Brazil in our efforts to seek Ireland's removal from the Brazilian list.