Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which he remains satisfied that EU competition rules are not set to invade the competency of national governments to retain control of tax policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51761/23]
View answerIreland has always been, and continues to be, a strong proponent of unanimity in tax matters at EU level. Tax Sovereignty is an area close to the heart of Irish citizens and was one of the reasons the Irish people initially rejected the Lisbon Treaty. A subsequent Protocol to the Treaty provided guarantees in relation to tax sovereignty, which paved the way for the Treaty's approval in Ireland.
Ireland has shown that we are willing to engage with and agree EU tax directives that seek to implement agreed international best practices in a consistent manner across the EU. Through negotiations, Ireland always maintain the principle that matters of direct taxation remain a Member State competence under the treaties, and tax harmonization is contrary to that principle.
Taxation remains one of the most effective policy levers available to any Government, and each Member State has developed a tax mix appropriate to their particular economy. We fundamentally believe that tax competition is an important policy tool, particularly for smaller Member States, provided that competition is fair and based on substance.
Ireland’s participation in global and European tax reform does not indicate that we are conceding any sovereignty in tax matters. Ireland is a proponent of multilateralism being the best solution to global tax problems and this is what underpins our position on EU tax matters and our decisions to join international consensus on the Two Pillared Agreement at the OECD.
On this basis I am satisfied that taxation is, and will continue to remain, a national competence for EU Member States.
