Privileged access

Tax deals designed to lure multinationals and laws designed to minimise tax liabilities are putting the spotlight on lobbyists, writes Europe Correspondent, Ann Cahill

SWEET tax deals by governments for multi-national corporations and laws designed to minimise their tax liabilities is turning the spotlight on the multimillion lobbying industry.

Earlier this year, Irish citizens learned that the Irish Financial Services Centre had their own representatives, the Clearing House Group, within the Department of the Taoiseach, being serviced by his staff with meetings attended by senior civil servants from various departments including finance.