Ireland's multinational tax system examined by Oireachtas

Ireland's tax system for multinationals will be under the spotlight today as TDs and Senators in the Oireachtas Tax Sub-Committee examine the issue.

Coalition and Opposition politicians will probe the country's relationship with firms including Apple and Google and discuss the subjects of "base erosion" and "profit-shifting".

Those terms cover all the broad ways in which "gaps and mismatches" in tax rules can be exploited to make profits "disappear", according to the OECD.

Ireland is being investigated by the European Commission - which wants to see documents on deals done with companies including Apple and Google.

Last week, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said our corporate tax rate is not up for discussion and he is not worried by the EC investigation.

Professor Frank Barry, a Trinity College expert on "tax architecture" - the design and implementation of tax systems - will address the committee today.

Tomorrow, officials from the Department of Finance and Revenue will appear before the committee to answer questions.