Rabbitte: US can make own conclusions about tax system

The Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has defended Ireland's tax policy ahead of an international digital conference in the capital today.

Rabbitte was speaking before the launch of the Digital Agenda Assembly at Dublin Castle, billed as the final and largest event of the Irish Presidency of the EU.

Around 600 delegates will meet to discuss a range of topics including the opportunities that big names in the tech industry can offer our economy.

Ireland's tax laws have come in for criticism in the US after details of how corporate giants such as Apple pay less tax in the States by availing of our taxation system.

However Minister Rabbitte says that is not Ireland's concern. "The facility to permit arbitrates between two countries, facilitates certain loopholes that are not the property of the Irish government. It's a matter for the United States to make its own conclusions about the tax system that is operated for American companies that operate outside the jurisdiction."