Bernard J. Durkan
Question:162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of any discussions he has had with his EU colleagues in regard to taxation or economic policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2862/05]
View answerTuesday, 1 February 2005
Questions (162)
Written answers
The Economic and Finance Ministers meet monthly at the ECOFIN Council meeting where taxation and economic policy matters are discussed. In advance of those meetings, the Euro area Ministers meet informally at Eurogroup to discuss matters of particular relevance to their economies in the context of Economic and Monetary Union.
Useful discussions have been held on direct and indirect taxation issues. On the direct tax side, the Council agreed on the proposal to amend the Mergers Directive. On the indirect tax side, views have been exchanged on VAT dossiers, such as the place of supply of services and reduced rates and on excise dossiers, such as the Commission report on alcohol excises.
I and my colleagues at Eurogroup and ECOFIN Council regularly discuss matters of common interest in regard to the European and broader international economy. The European Commission presented a formal communication on 3 September 2004, outlining a range of proposals for strengthening economic governance in the European Union and clarifying the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact. Since then, the issues involved have been the subject of detailed and wide-ranging discussions, which continue. At the recent ECOFIN Council of 18 January 2005, Ministers had a useful exchange of views on this matter and identified some areas where further discussions at technical level should be pursued.