Consultation process launched on tax system

The Department of Finance is launching a consultation process to examine the way the country’s corporate tax system affects developing countries.

The initiative follows on from the publication of Ireland’s international tax strategy on budget day last October. It is an attempt to make the country’s tax dealings with emerging economies more transparent and fair.

The move has been welcomed by Christian Aid Ireland. Head of advocacy and policy Sorley McCaughey said: “Continued focus on Irish tax policy and the role Ireland plays in facilitating large scale tax avoidance by multinationals makes it imperative that we are seen to be doing all we can to ensure that we are not depriving poor countries — many of which are Irish Aid programme countries — of badly needed revenue.