Big names and small firms say there is no threat to tax rates

THE Irish people have the absolute right at all times to be reassured on any political points included in any provisions of the Lisbon Treaty.

One of the issues raised during this referendum campaign has been whether or not the EU will receive any new powers so that it can change Ireland’s corporation tax rate.

Those who have stated publicly that the EU has no power to change our tax rates, and who have all stated that each country in Europe has a veto over any taxation rate changes, include the following:

European Commission president Jose Barroso.

European Parliament president Hans Gert.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The independent Referendum Commission which is overseeing the dissemination of impartial information on the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland.

The Small Firms Association, representing 7,500 small and medium-sized companies.

A number of chambers of commerce from all parts of the country, including Dublin and Cork.

IBEC, representing 8,000 companies in Ireland.

The IDA, which has ensured that 136,000 people are directly employed in 980 multinationals located in Ireland.

All the main political parties in the Dáil, with the very notable exception of Sinn Féin.

As a member of the economics committee of the European Parliaments, I can assure readers there is no clause within the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty which enables the EU to change any corporation tax rate in Ireland or to change any tax rate in any other EU country. The setting of tax rates is a matter for each EU member state to deal with in whatever way they individually see fit.

Gordon Brown was very clear recently when he said he would never sign a treaty that would give the EU any say over taxation rights.

The British prime minister made it clear that the Lisbon Treaty has no role in taxation matters and that the his government would always vigorously oppose and veto measures that would seek to introduce any form of tax harmonisation in Europe now or into the future.

I hope this will help to bring some clarity to this very important issue.

Eoin Ryan MEP

43 Molesworth Street

Dublin 2l