Vol. 514 No. 3
174 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance the individual who formally complained to the EU Commission regarding the tax status of credit unions; the action, if any, the EU has taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4265/00]
I am not privy to the origination of the complaint. I understand, however, that the formal complaint to the EU Commission was made by an umbrella group representing financial organisations in this country. The complaint alleges that the credit union movement in Ireland has benefited from preferential tax treatment by virtue of its exemption from corporation tax and its exemption from DIRT. The complaint asserts that this treatment of credit unions in Irish taxation law is contrary to EU law. The EU Commission is in the course of investigating this complaint, which I understand will involve consultation with my Department.
