Google revenue diverted through Ireland 'to make amends for Black & Tans' - Brit MP

harryr711

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/google-revenue-diverted-through-ireland-to-make-amends-for-black-tans-suggests-british-mp-29707797.html

pablomakaveli

I'm surprised he even knows what the Black and Tans are. Most people i've met in Britain know next to nothing about Irish history.

Sir Humphrey Appleby

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Most people i've met in Britain know next to nothing about Irish history.

Most people in Ireland don't either!

Grandeeod

Sir Humphrey Appleby wrote: »

Most people in Ireland don't either!

Bull****e!

mark renton

Sir Humphrey Appleby wrote: »

Most people in Ireland don't either!

Hated history in secondary school...

Grandeeod

Just another misguided comment from a British official. He's attempting to use historical events to explain the actions of a multinational. Im surprised he didnt use the term paddy and claim there was IRA involement.

I dislike ignorance, but a lot of UK politics and media are full of it.

Sir Humphrey Appleby

Grandeeod wrote: »

Just another misguided comment from a British official. He's attempting to use historical events to explain the actions of a multinational. Im surprised he didnt use the term paddy and claim there was IRA involement.

I dislike ignorance, but a lot of UK politics and media are full of it.

He is not an official, he is an elected representative, big difference.
He is however an idiot!

mark renton

I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt - for thinking outside of the box like

Stojkovic

Grandeeod wrote: »

Bull****e!

No its true.

They believe what De Valera and that McQuad fcuker told them to teach in schools.

LoonyLovegood

Gombeen! I literally facepalmed reading that one.

Karl Stein

If only we'd stayed in the 'union', eh? London/England wouldn't have had to put up with upstarts like us drawing business away from them.

He has a point, though, to an extent. An extremely uncomfortable phase between us and the Brits, after British (Central) rule, has morphed into a case where Britain treats Ireland quite favourably both economically and politically, in the grand scheme of things. Considering the history between our two countries, and with Irish bombs going off on the mainland UK not so long ago, they take an extremely conciliatory tone with us. Quite different to Argentina, for example, whom they've also had issues with during a similar timeframe.

ScumLord

We should all be thanking the British for allowing google to operate in Ireland.

Will this be like the 12 days of Christmas? Next Microsoft will be making up for the potato famine fiasco.

double Irish Dutch sandwich

I'm I the only one that thinks that's a great name for a porno?

ScumLord

ScumLord wrote: »

We should all be thanking the British for allowing google to operate in Ireland.

In the British media for the last while there has been quite loud talk from a lot of people about how these tech companies are avoiding tax by using their Irish bases to close sales that have essentially been made in Britain. Among other things.

Nobody is saying that we should be thanking Britain, but with the way a lot of people go on around here they would probably be complaining about the situation too were they British and missing out on all that lovely tax.

Karl Stein

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

they take an extremely conciliatory tone with us.

Ugh.. how sickening. You'd nearly think, by your fawning, we were the ones who colonised Britain, threw people off their land, suppressed their culture/language, presided over a devastating famine etc.

No, you'd rather go with the 'they've been ever so nice to us despite our monstrous treatment of them - aren't we lucky'.

Forelock tugging shite.

Carlos Roca

Carlos Roca wrote: »

Ugh.. how sickening. You'd nearly think, by your fawning, we were the ones who colonised Britain, threw people off their land, suppressed their culture/language, presided over a devastating famine etc.

No, you'd rather go with the 'they've been ever so nice to us despite our monstrous treatment of them - aren't we lucky'.

Forelock tugging shite.

I would see it more as an objective view of the global geopolitical landscape relating to us and Britain, rather than "fawning". Take a chill pill.

darkpagandeath

Carlos Roca wrote: »

Ugh.. how sickening. You'd nearly think, by your fawning, we were the ones who colonised Britain, threw people off their land, suppressed their culture/language, presided over a devastating famine etc.

No, you'd rather go with the 'they've been ever so nice to us despite our monstrous treatment of them - aren't we lucky'.

Forelock tugging shite.

Why do people in Wales still speak welsh ?

Frank Lee Midere

Stojkovic wrote: »

No its true.

They believe what De Valera and that McQuad fcuker told them to teach in schools.

Which is apparantly not the Black and Tans?

harryr711

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

He has a point, though, to an extent. An extremely uncomfortable phase between us and the Brits, after British (Central) rule, has morphed into a case where Britain treats Ireland quite favourably both economically and politically, in the grand scheme of things. Considering the history between our two countries, and with Irish bombs going off on the mainland UK not so long ago, they take an extremely conciliatory tone with us. Quite different to Argentina, for example, whom they've also had issues with during a similar timeframe.

Naive is the word that comes to mind.

harryr711

harryr711 wrote: »

Naive is the word that comes to mind.

Are you going to say why? Or is that it?

keith16

How fucking wrong is it that Google can sell their products "through" Ireland, but they don't physically sell any of their products to the Irish market?

Frank Lee Midere

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

In the British media for the last while there has been quite loud talk from a lot of people about how these tech companies are avoiding tax by using their Irish bases to close sales that have essentially been made in Britain. Among other things.

Nobody is saying that we should be thanking Britain, but with the way a lot of people go on around here they would probably be complaining about the situation too were they British and missing out on all that lovely tax.

The problem with that statement, despite the sleeveenism is this: Google is not avoiding tax in Britain. Companies don't owe corporation tax where they sell but where they are incorporated. Which is here.


But they are avoiding tax here.

Frank Lee Midere

keith16 wrote: »

How fucking wrong is it that Google can sell their products "through" Ireland, but they don't physically sell any of their products to the Irish market?

What now? What does that even mean? They sell software services - here and there.

riffmongous

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

He has a point, though, to an extent. An extremely uncomfortable phase between us and the Brits, after British (Central) rule, has morphed into a case where Britain treats Ireland quite favourably both economically and politically, in the grand scheme of things. Considering the history between our two countries, and with Irish bombs going off on the mainland UK not so long ago, they take an extremely conciliatory tone with us. Quite different to Argentina, for example, whom they've also had issues with during a similar timeframe.

But the Irish government didnt have much to do with those bombs, big difference

Tangatagamadda Chaddabinga Bonga Bungo

1. Make reparations for an Gorta Mor please 'boys'.

2. Continue to subsidise the statelet in the north ye created for the next 50 years before ye hand it back.

3. Stop polluting the Irish Sea.

Karl Stein

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

I would see it more as an objective view of the global geopolitical landscape relating to us and Britain, rather than "fawning".

Objective if you're Ruth Dudley Edwards or Kevin Myers maybe.

Even Mrs Windsor of the British blue bloods acknowledges that:

"with the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we wish had been done differently, or not at all."

"To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy."

riffmongous

riffmongous wrote: »

But the Irish government didnt have much to do with those bombs, big difference

Our Taoiseach for much of the 80's had himself been embroiled in an IRA gun smuggling scandal a few years earlier. To say there wasn't distrust of the government also would be wrong, in my opinion.

keith16

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

What now? What does that even mean? They sell software services - here and there.

They sell hardware too.

For Forks Sake

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Why do people in Wales still speak welsh ?

So the sassanach can't overhear their plans for a sheep-led revolution.


Ssssssh.

Karl Stein

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Our Taoiseach for much of the 80's had himself been embroiled in an IRA gun smuggling scandal a few years earlier. To say there wasn't distrust of the government also would be wrong, in my opinion.

Anyone who supplied arms to Nationalists in the north at the time should be revered for their efforts to prevent ethnic cleansing.

Frank Lee Midere

keith16 wrote: »

They sell hardware too.

You said they didn't sell what they did here, here. They do software services here.

wandatowell

Irish history in secondary school bord me senseless. Irish history from the text books I led me to think not much had change in Ireland over the years and it was the same petty in fighting thats still going on. Mind numbing crap.

I was more interested in the Irish history proceeding that, which strangely I learned about when learning Irish in primary school.

It pisses me off that Irish history start @ Cromwellian invasion. Horse****.

keith16

Frank Lee Midere wrote: »

You said they didn't sell what they did here, here. They do software services here.

So why is it then, that on an invoice for a Nexus device I purchased from Google:

Purchased from:
Google Commerce Ltd
Gordon House, Barrow Street
Dublin 4
Ireland

but I had to mask my IP, pretend I was in Britain and use a British shipping address to send a device from Birmingham?

The only time the device was in Dublin was when it arrived in my hands. How in the name of god was it purchased from Dublin?

Fratton Fred

Grandeeod wrote: »

Just another misguided comment from a British official. He's attempting to use historical events to explain the actions of a multinational. Im surprised he didnt use the term paddy and claim there was IRA involement.

I dislike ignorance, but a lot of UK politics and media are full of it.

Why are you looking for offence where none was meant?

darkpagandeath

keith16 wrote: »

So why is it then, that on an invoice for a Nexus device I purchased from Google:



but I had to mask my IP, pretend I was in Britain and use a British shipping address to send a device from Birmingham?

The only time the device was in Dublin was when it arrived in my hands. How in the name of god was it purchased from Dublin?

It was built on the Internet then shipped to you :P

harryr711

keith16 wrote: »

So why is it then, that on an invoice for a Nexus device I purchased from Google:



but I had to mask my IP, pretend I was in Britain and use a British shipping address to send a device from Birmingham?

The only time the device was in Dublin was when it arrived in my hands. How in the name of god was it purchased from Dublin?

Companies sell different products into different markets. It presumably makes financial sense for them to hold stock of that product in Britain if that's the intended destination/market for the product. I don't see any issue here.

Gavlor

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

He has a point, though, to an extent. An extremely uncomfortable phase between us and the Brits, after British (Central) rule, has morphed into a case where Britain treats Ireland quite favourably both economically and politically, in the grand scheme of things. Considering the history between our two countries, and with Irish bombs going off on the mainland UK not so long ago, they take an extremely conciliatory tone with us. Quite different to Argentina, for example, whom they've also had issues with during a similar timeframe.

Seriously?! Argentina, Iraq, Afghanistan.... Were all either government led or government backed violent acts against Britain and its interests. What you're implying is the the Irish government backs the actions of the ira or whatever handle they use now.

darkpagandeath

harryr711 wrote: »

Companies sell different products into different markets. It presumably makes financial sense for them to hold stock of that product in Britain if that's the intended destination/market for the product. I don't see any issue here.

So it was purchased in the Uk then so as the stock was in the UK and nowhere else

keith16

harryr711 wrote: »

Companies sell different products into different markets. It presumably makes financial sense for them to hold stock of that product in Britain if that's the intended destination/market for the product. I don't see any issue here.

Wut? Companies sell different products to different markets? What an amazing insight.

So it makes sense for them to hold inventory in Britain, sell it to the British market but put and Irish address on the invoice?

There is a bloody big issue here. Google taking advantage of Ireland's low corporate tax regime, while simultaneously sticking two fingers up to the Irish market.

harryr711

darkpagandeath wrote: »

So it was purchased in the Uk then so as the stock was in the UK and nowhere else

The product is apparently not intended for the Irish market. The buyer bought online by masking his IP address. He bought it from an Irish company that was selling into Britain. There is nothing wrong with this. This is common business practice across the world, not just Google in this particular scenario. How the **** is this even an issue to some people?

harryr711

keith16 wrote: »

Wut? Companies sell different products to different markets? What an amazing insight.

So it makes sense for them to hold inventory in Britain, sell it to the British market but put and Irish address on the invoice?

There is a bloody big issue here. Google taking advantage of Ireland's low corporate tax regime, while simultaneously sticking two fingers up to the Irish market.

There is no issue here. Companies sell into foreign markets every day of the week. They pay corporation tax in the country in which they are incorporated. If a company doesn't wish to sell their product in a particular country they don't have to. Common sense.

.jacksparrow.

Sir Humphrey Appleby wrote: »

Most people in Ireland don't either!

Didn't take you long!

.jacksparrow.

Gavlor wrote: »

Seriously?! Argentina, Iraq, Afghanistan.... Were all either government led or government backed violent acts against Britain and its interests. What you're implying is the the Irish government backs the actions of the ira or whatever handle they use now.

Those blasted Afghanis on their camels attacking the mighty empire, what were they thinking!

keith16

harryr711 wrote: »

The product is apparently not intended for the Irish market. The buyer bought online by masking his IP address. He bought it from an Irish company that was selling into Britain. There is nothing wrong with this. This is common business practice across the world, not just Google in this particular scenario. How the **** is this even an issue to some people?

Google are an Irish company now? They are not selling "into" the British market, they are selling from within the British market via google.co.uk

It's an issue to many many people because it is depriving the British exchequer of millions in tax. It's a huge issue because Ireland continues to come under pressure from Europe for fostering this type tax dodging.

What do you think Google will do if or when Ireland does up it's rates? They won't be long upping sticks from Barrow St.

Jesus Christ :mad:

average hero

As long as the revenue continues to be diverted here, supports Irish jobs, and/or give us a hand in any way, I could not care if it were to make up for the Nine Years War up North during the 1500's

darkpagandeath

average hero wrote: »

As long as the revenue continues to be diverted here, supports Irish jobs, and/or give us a hand in any way, I could not care if it were to make up for the Nine Years War up North during the 1500's

what the less than 3% effective tax they pay ?

harryr711

keith16 wrote: »

Google are an Irish company now? They are not selling "into" the British market, they are selling from within the British market via google.co.uk

It's an issue to many many people because it is depriving the British exchequer of millions in tax. It's a huge issue because Ireland continues to come under pressure from Europe for fostering this type tax dodging.

What do you think Google will do if or when Ireland does up it's rates? They won't be long upping sticks from Barrow St.

Jesus Christ

You bought the product from Google Commerce Limited, an Irish company. Google Commerce Limited sells product into the British market via google.co.uk.

I was looking at buying something from a website with a .eu domain name. Where do they pay their corporation tax? Straight to the EU in Brussels? :pac:

You've completely missed the point on tax avoidance. It has nothing to do with selling into different markets and not paying corp tax in those markets, nor does it have anything to do with the 12.5% rate. It's to do with a loophole that allows companies to be stateless in terms of tax residency. This loop hole will be closed.

Nodin

"Richard Murphy, Director of Tax Research UK told RTE Radio's Morning Ireland that he doesn't know exactly where Mr Mitchell's comments about the Black and Tans came from."

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/google-revenue-diverted-through-ireland-to-make-amends-for-black-tans-suggests-british-mp-29707797.html

I've a good idea meself.

grenache

I liked one of the comments underneath the story:

"Giving Ireland back her 6 counties would be a better way of making amends".

anncoates

pablomakaveli wrote: »

I'm surprised he even knows what the Black and Tans are. Most people i've met in Britain know next to nothing about Irish history.

Why would they care?

.jacksparrow.

anncoates wrote: »

Why would they care?

Well they all seem to be remembering their war dead this week...