Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2012
9. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether Ireland’s economic interests are being protected in the current discussion surrounding proposals for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42317/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16th March 2011 the European Commission, which has the right of initiative to bring forward legislative proposals, published its proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base. This represented the beginning of a process that involves a detailed examination of the proposal, line by line, by all Member States at the Council Working Group. Since the Commission's proposal has been published, Department of Finance officials, along with officials from the Revenue Commissioners have been attending the Working Party on Tax Questions which is the forum for discussions on the proposal. To date, my officials have attended meetings on a regular basis in relation to the proposal and there is still a long way to go before agreement on the Commission's proposal could be expected.
This proposal has the potential to affect the economic interests of all Member States. Therefore both I and the Government have made it clear that Ireland, like all other Member States, intends to constructively engage in that process because only in that way can we absolutely ensure that all of the arguments are brought to the table and our interests are protected.
I want to assure the Deputy that it is clearly understood that our engagement is strictly on the basis that taxation is a matter of national competence and that the principle of unanimity in taxation is fully respected.
