Many years ago, when Charles Haughey introduced a scheme of tax incentives to encourage artists to live and work in Ireland, the welcome and impact were immediate and universal. It seemed an entirely good idea.

The European Union is demanding that US coffee chain Starbucks and car manufacturer Fiat repay up to €30m in tax breaks they received from EU nations.

No rent controls, a reduction in Vat on new homes, tax breaks for landlords and an apprenticeship scheme for construction workers are among a list of demands for the Government unveiled by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland yesterday.

The woman in charge of developing Dublin’s start-up ‘ecosystem’ is confident the Government will introduce tax breaks for people looking to invest in early stage companies which would unlock a huge warchest of crucial funding.

Two former Fianna Fáil taoisigh and a finance minister could be called to give evidence in a European Parliament investigation of how the corporate tax system in Ireland worked for both Apple and U2.