Dept of Finance not aware of EU investigations into Irish corporate tax affairs

The Department of Finance has said it is not aware of any investigations into Irish corporate tax affairs.

The European Competition Commission said it is examining whether special tax rates were offered to multinationals such as Starbucks and Apple.

Ireland has previously been accused of doing deals with such companies in return for jobs and investment but the government has denied such claims.

Update at 13.30pm

The Taoiseach said that he is not concerned that Ireland will be singled out in an investigation into Corporation Tax.

Enda Kenny said that Ireland's participating in a Europe-wide initiative to deal with this.

"Ireland is very happy to participate internationally in working with the OECD and other institutions to bring about a transparent and accountable system in respect of tax," he said.

"And again I welcome the strong confirmation from the OECD that Ireland is not a tax haven."