Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
137. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if his officials have examined the European Commission decision in respect of tax breaks for employees in Sweden when they exercise their share options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32374/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on a foot of a review of share based remuneration conducted in 2016, it was announced in the last Budget that work had commenced on the development of a new, SME-focussed, share-based incentive scheme, to be introduced in Budget 2018. It was noted that such an incentive would require the approval of the European Commission and that officials would be engaging with the Commission to ensure that the incentive would comply with State Aid rules in advance of the next Budget.
Work on this new incentive is ongoing. In this regard my officials are engaging with the European Commission in relation to satisfying EU State Aid rules. My officials have examined the Commission decision that the Deputy refers to, and have noted its contents particularly with regard to its relevance to the ongoing negotiations.
