Liz McManus
Question:31 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance his views on proposals for tax harmonisation within the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28030/98]
Written Answers - Tax Harmonisation.
John Bruton
Question:101 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the International Financial Services Centre clearing house group has been consulted about, or is considering, proposals from the EU on tax harmonisation [26632/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 101 together.
There are no proposals on the table for harmonising business or personal tax rates within the EU. Recent discussions at the ECOFIN Council and at the Vienna Summit last week have taken place in the context of improving cooperation in tax policy and combating harmful tax competition. This was confirmed in the agreed conclusions to the Vienna Summit. Co-operation in the tax policy area is not aiming at uniform tax rates and is not inconsistent with fair tax competition but is called for to reduce the continuing distortions in the single market, to prevent excessive losses of tax revenues and to get tax structures to develop in a more employment friendly way.
As tax harmonisation is not on the agenda, the question of consulting the International Financial Services Centre Clearing House Group does not arise.