Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

206. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the communication by the European Commission on business taxations published on 18 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28238/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware that the European Commission published a Communication titled Business Tax in the 21^stCentury last week.

The Communication will be carefully examined by my officials recognising the intention of the Commission to bring forward a series of legislative proposals over the coming years. Once legislative proposals are published by the Commission, we will consider each in detail on their merits.

I think it is important to recall that the Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to the 12.5% Corporation Tax rate and recognises that taxation is a national competence.

I remain focused on achieving a global agreement this year at the OECD on reframing the international tax rules. This is the priority for Ireland, and we have a long standing position that addressing aggressive tax planning is a global issue which requires a global agreement. Such an agreement will be important in ensuring certainty and stability in the coming years to promote growth and investment.

Ireland has fully engaged in the international tax discussions for many years and I have diligently and proactively reformed and modernised our tax code in line with these international developments.

The January 2021 update to Ireland’s Corporation Tax Roadmap sets out the measures we have taken, and also signal further actions that Ireland will take over the period ahead to fully implement the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directives.