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Ireland and the EU Post Brexit

  • 13-01-2019 9:50pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭


    Whither Ireland?

    The EU is about to lose its primary English language population.

    So does that mean the lingua franca which moved from French to English over the last 40 years will shift back and result in a dedicated Franco-German based EU that will shunt the concerns of low corporation tax Ireland to the margins?

    By being politically "good Europeans" but shoddy speaker of languages and with a culture that is thoroughly Atlanticist in most respects are we about to end up on the periphery without our best EU friend?

    I'm a remainer through and through but I would not be shocked at all if over time Ireland was pressurised to accede to policies that would not otherwise be adopted. I'm not sure a coalition of small states who feel less integrated than the core nations would have much effect even if such a grouping could be cobbled together effectively.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,679 ✭✭✭✭Peregrinus


    Whither Ireland?

    The EU is about to lose its primary English language population.

    So does that mean the lingua franca which moved from French to English over the last 40 years will shift back . . .
    No. It suits the EU fairly well that English is (one of the) dominant working languages and that's unlikely to change. Some observers reckon that it will become even more dominant as it will have the advantage of neutrality over the other dominant working languages (which are French and German).
    . . . nd result in a dedicated Franco-German based EU that will shunt the concerns of low corporation tax Ireland to the margins?
    Language isn't a big driver of tax policy.
    By being politically "good Europeans" but shoddy speaker of languages and with a culture that is thoroughly Atlanticist in most respects are we about to end up on the periphery without our best EU friend?

    I'm a remainer through and through but I would not be shocked at all if over time Ireland was pressurised to accede to policies that would not otherwise be adopted. I'm not sure a coalition of small states who feel less integrated than the core nations would have much effect even if such a grouping could be cobbled together effectively.
    Ah, but remember that a majority of member states are "small states". Small states are very influential in the EU. Ireland is in fact an above-average-size state in GDP terms. (And all this becomes slightly truer when the UK withdraws.)

    Yes, we'll miss the UK as a fellow member state, is the short answer, but not so much because of language issues. Countries have interests at the EU more than they have languages. Already new alliances and alignments are emerging in anticipation of the UK's withdrawal. The Netherlands and Denmark are countries that frequently togged out with the UK (and ourselves) on tax and trade issues. These three countries, together with Sweden, Finland and the Baltic states, are co-operating closely and at least semi-formally as the "New Hanseatic League" or "Hansa 2.0" (effective working language: English) to influence EU policy on, e.g, the integration of financial markets, and the fiscal autonomy of national governments.

    Obviously we don't have the same historic and cultural links with these countries as we do with the UK, so we may have to invest a fair bit of effort to build up the kind of rapport with them that we had with the UK. On the other hand, an alliance which doesn't include the constantly-demanding-opt-outs and increasingly-perceived-as-unreliable UK might be a better strategic option for us anyway.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,490 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    If the UK leaves, there will be one fewer large country, thereby slightly shifting the balance of power to the smaller countries.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Whither Ireland?

    The EU is about to lose its primary English language population.

    So does that mean the lingua franca which moved from French to English over the last 40 years will shift back and result in a dedicated Franco-German based EU that will shunt the concerns of low corporation tax Ireland to the margins?

    By being politically "good Europeans" but shoddy speaker of languages and with a culture that is thoroughly Atlanticist in most respects are we about to end up on the periphery without our best EU friend?

    I'm a remainer through and through but I would not be shocked at all if over time Ireland was pressurised to accede to policies that would not otherwise be adopted. I'm not sure a coalition of small states who feel less integrated than the core nations would have much effect even if such a grouping could be cobbled together effectively.

    English is the primary business language of the world. I know of several multi nationals that employ people all over europe and carry out their interviews in English only. Brexit will not change this.
    Victor wrote: »
    If the UK leaves, there will be one fewer large country, thereby slightly shifting the balance of power to the smaller countries.

    or closer to Paris, which a few German colleagues fear.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 359 ✭✭Thomas_IV


    Whither Ireland?

    The EU is about to lose its primary English language population.

    So does that mean the lingua franca which moved from French to English over the last 40 years will shift back and result in a dedicated Franco-German based EU that will shunt the concerns of low corporation tax Ireland to the margins?

    By being politically "good Europeans" but shoddy speaker of languages and with a culture that is thoroughly Atlanticist in most respects are we about to end up on the periphery without our best EU friend?

    I'm a remainer through and through but I would not be shocked at all if over time Ireland was pressurised to accede to policies that would not otherwise be adopted. I'm not sure a coalition of small states who feel less integrated than the core nations would have much effect even if such a grouping could be cobbled together effectively.

    I don't think so because English remains the international top language in the Western World. Whether the Brits are out of the EU or not wouldn't make much of a difference cos French is more complicated in writing in compare to English in this internet age.


  • Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭sandbelter


    Thomas_IV wrote: »
    I don't think so because English remains the international top language in the Western World. Whether the Brits are out of the EU or not wouldn't make much of a difference cos French is more complicated in writing in compare to English in this internet age.

    All we need is technological advancement that could reverse this.

    Big picture I expect German and French over a number of decades to become the lingua franca of the EU.

    In the Asia Pacific, for example, there is more interest being paid to the risk that UK's departure from the EU is a precursor to a larger split in the western Alliance. US' heavy weight bullying of Germany is watched with concern as Russia and China really haven't made a move yet and are unlikely to do so until the UK is about of the building. How this plays out will actually be the most important outcome for Brexit. But I do see the English language declining as already occurring in the Orient.

    I actually don't discount Russia joining the EEA, as much to veto the UK from spoiling it's participation in Europe ans as a hedge against China. I for one think the biggest moment of crisis for Ireland in the EU will be a future date when there is a serious clash between the US and the EU...that will be actually more serious than Brexit. This will further drive the English language to the background.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,275 ✭✭✭fash


    sandbelter wrote: »
    All we need is technological advancement that could reverse this.

    Big picture I expect German and French over a number of decades to become the lingua franca of the EU.
    “Linguae francae”.
    However there is no chance of either becoming a lingua franca: German speakers in business and politics spend half their time speaking in English anyway, all of Eastern Europe, Scandanavia use English as their working language. French fell into relative disuse on the eastward expansion of the EU - and is not coming back - however much they would like it.
    Irish has pretty much the same chance of becoming the lingua franca as either French or German.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,586 ✭✭✭4068ac1elhodqr


    sandbelter wrote: »
    I actually don't discount Russia joining the EEA, as much to veto the UK from spoiling it's participation in Europe ans as a hedge against China. I for one think the biggest moment of crisis for Ireland in the EU will be a future date when there is a serious clash between the US and the EU...that will be actually more serious than Brexit. This will further drive the English language to the background.

    Total opposite. The EU is expanding into the direct competition of the former great Bear states. Ukraine & Turkey along with N'African states are on the longer-term radar to be engulfed by Brussels.

    There will be no clash between the US-EU, if anything an Atlantic union is highly likely in decades to come. Not just likely, but perhaps essential, as by 2060 China's GDP will be more powerfull than these two great areas combined.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,679 ✭✭✭✭Peregrinus


    fash wrote: »
    “Linguae francae”.
    However there is no chance of either becoming a lingua franca: German speakers in business and politics spend half their time speaking in English anyway, all of Eastern Europe, Scandanavia use English as their working language. French fell into relative disuse on the eastward expansion of the EU - and is not coming back - however much they would like it.
    Irish has pretty much the same chance of becoming the lingua franca as either French or German.
    English is currently the dominant lingua franca in Europe, and Brexit doesn't in itself hugely alter the factors that make this so. But there is no law of God or nature which says it must always be; other dominant linguae francae have receded - just look at French - and English is not insulated from the possibility. I for one will be the first to hail our new Mandarin-speaking overlords. :)

    And you understate, I think, the extent to which German is already a lingua franca in Central and Easten Europe, where it has supplanted Russian, for reasons that we know.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,567 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    I'm not sure why anyone is worried about English losing its dominant position as a business language. I live in the Netherlands and don't speak any Dutch beyond please and thank you. My kids do their schooling in English. The language of my company is English, despite 75% of the employees being Dutch.

    Our Chinese, Japanese and Korean customers all speak English. As does everyone in our Chinese and Japanese offices.

    When I go to Germany or France I attempt to speak their languages but I get funny looks and responses in English.

    If anything, English is only getting more embedded. Young Dutch people speak better English than I do.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Registered Users Posts: 2,275 ✭✭✭fash


    Peregrinus wrote: »
    And you understate, I think, the extent to which German is already a lingua franca in Central and Easten Europe, where it has supplanted Russian, for reasons that we know.
    Weiss nicht ob ich zustimmen kann - und ich kann Deutsch und kenne Osteuropa schon gut. But perhaps I know different people - although admittedly there are higher numbers of Eastern Europeans in German universities than elsewhere.


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  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,567 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Peregrinus wrote: »
    English is currently the dominant lingua franca in Europe, and Brexit doesn't in itself hugely alter the factors that make this so. But there is no law of God or nature which says it must always be; other dominant linguae francae have receded - just look at French - and English is not insulated from the possibility. I for one will be the first to hail our new Mandarin-speaking overlords. :)

    And you understate, I think, the extent to which German is already a lingua franca in Central and Easten Europe, where it has supplanted Russian, for reasons that we know.

    You know a lot of people in Eastern Europe are actual ethnically German? When the borders of Germany were re drawn after WW2 a lot of their grandparents had new nationalities, so German would have been spoken at home.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Peregrinus wrote:
    And you understate, I think, the extent to which German is already a lingua franca in Central and Easten Europe, where it has supplanted Russian, for reasons that we know.

    German is not the lingua franca in Central and Eastern Europe. I travel throughout the area and work with local and international organisations - including German ones. All business is conducted in English.

    Even the local staff of German organisations are not required to speak German, but they are required to speak English.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,490 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Brian? wrote: »
    You know a lot of people in Eastern Europe are actual ethnically German? When the borders of Germany were re drawn after WW2 a lot of their grandparents had new nationalities, so German would have been spoken at home.
    This isn't accurate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_and_expulsion_of_Germans_(1944%E2%80%9350)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,890 ✭✭✭Charles Babbage


    Brian? wrote: »
    You know a lot of people in Eastern Europe are actual ethnically German? When the borders of Germany were re drawn after WW2 a lot of their grandparents had new nationalities, so German would have been spoken at home.


    Of course there are some, but most of the Germans were thrown out in 1945.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,567 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Of course there are some, but most of the Germans were thrown out in 1945.

    Was it most? I'm genuinely interested. I know a lot of Poles who's grandparents were actually German

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,567 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Victor wrote: »

    I said a lot. I'm not sure what the actual number is. Thanks for the link.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,567 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Brian? wrote: »
    Was it most? I'm genuinely interested. I know a lot of Poles who's grandparents were actually German

    It was most. From the wiki.

    "Estimates for the total number of people of German ancestry still living in Central and Eastern Europe in 1950 range from 700,000 to 2.7 million"

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Brian? wrote:
    "Estimates for the total number of people of German ancestry still living in Central and Eastern Europe in 1950 range from 700,000 to 2.7 million"


    That was two generations ago.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,490 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Brian? wrote: »
    Was it most? I'm genuinely interested. I know a lot of Poles who's grandparents were actually German
    That may be because they were born in the German Empire. Poland didn't exist as an independent state before WWI.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,065 ✭✭✭otnomart


    So does that mean the lingua franca which moved from French to English over the last 40 years will shift back and result in a dedicated Franco-German based EU that will shunt the concerns of low corporation tax Ireland to the margins?


    On the subject of corporate tax,
    French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire today:


    "We strongly believe that there is a need for a minimum corporate tax at the international level, because we don't want the biggest companies of the world escaping the taxation system. We will put that proposal ... as a key priority of the French G7,"



    source: Politico EU https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-france-bruno-le-maire-up-to-britain-to-find-a-way-through-impasse/


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    otnomart wrote: »
    On the subject of corporate tax,
    French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire today:


    "We strongly believe that there is a need for a minimum corporate tax at the international level, because we don't want the biggest companies of the world escaping the taxation system. We will put that proposal ... as a key priority of the French G7,"



    source: Politico EU https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-france-bruno-le-maire-up-to-britain-to-find-a-way-through-impasse/

    I strongly believe there's a need for unicorns that **** gold to fly all over the world; doesn't mean it's ever going to happen.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    otnomart wrote: »
    On the subject of corporate tax,
    French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire today:


    "We strongly believe that there is a need for a minimum corporate tax at the international level, because we don't want the biggest companies of the world escaping the taxation system. We will put that proposal ... as a key priority of the French G7,"



    source: Politico EU

    As usual a position full of ****
    Whats to stop any country changing the law that tax must be paid in their country where the service/goods where sold?
    Could it be the promised of a job on the board of a company after they leave politics?
    See Barroso Goldman Sachs


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    sophiexyz wrote: »
    As usual a position full of ****
    Whats to stop any country changing the law that tax must be paid in their country where the service/goods where sold?
    Could it be the promised of a job on the board of a company after they leave politics?
    See Barroso Goldman Sachs

    I firmly believe that Ireland is fighting he wrong fight on this point. Tax harmonization in the EU is a major issue that we have to sign up to; failure to do so could lead to a push to radically change the EU.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,896 ✭✭✭sabat


    If any French politician starts getting snippy about taxation you need only to say the magic word 'Monaco' and he'll quieten down sharpish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    I firmly believe that Ireland is fighting he wrong fight on this point. Tax harmonization in the EU is a major issue that we have to sign up to; failure to do so could lead to a push to radically change the EU.


    Tax constitutes a major part of fiscal policy. Fiscal policy is a national, sovereign responsibility. National sovereignty is the cornerstone of both the letter and spirit of the European Union.

    There is wide variation in the economies of the EU 27 and these variations are reflected in the variations in fiscal policy - including tax.

    There is certainly scope for greater oversight to prevent abuse of the system and this is being addressed. But tax harmonisation will not happen.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    Simple truth is German banks are in a bad way, as are many others, anti EU political parties going ground all over the EU, Eastern EU members are restless, if the EU goes hard on Ireland, betrays us in the Brexit negotiations, which is looking likely, we always have the nuclear option, default on the Billions we "owe" the EU/German banks.
    The EU would be dead within a month.
    Do a trade deal with UK, other ex EU countries would soon do the same.
    We all know this but the politicians are not looking out for our best interests so doubtful they will ever do anything


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    First Up wrote: »
    Tax constitutes a major part of fiscal policy. Fiscal policy is a national, sovereign responsibility. National sovereignty is the cornerstone of both the letter and spirit of the European Union.

    There is wide variation in the economies of the EU 27 and these variations are reflected in the variations in fiscal policy - including tax.

    There is certainly scope for greater oversight to prevent abuse of the system and this is being addressed. But tax harmonisation will not happen.
    Tax harmonization must and will happen. It's abjectly wrong to move income from the country in which it is incurred to a tax-friendly nation. In fact, Ireland's tax friendliness could become irrelevant tomorrow if another Member State decided to slash its rates. It's very short-sighted to object to harmonization when the bigger picture of rejecting it is either (i) loss of sovereignty of rates (unlikely) or (ii) competition on rates within the EU.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    Tax harmonization must and will happen. It's abjectly wrong to move income from the country in which it is incurred to a tax-friendly nation. In fact, Ireland's tax friendliness could become irrelevant tomorrow if another Member State decided to slash its rates. It's very short-sighted to object to harmonization when the bigger picture of rejecting it is either (i) loss of sovereignty of rates (unlikely) or (ii) competition on rates within the EU.

    Whats to stop France creating a new law tomorrow that any goods/services sold in France must pay the tax in France?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    sophiexyz wrote: »
    Whats to stop France creating a new law tomorrow that any goods/services sold in France must pay the tax in France?
    Nothing... but why not?


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    Nothing... but why not?

    Politicians say one thing for public consumption, and another behind closed doors.
    Barroso EU BOSS now works for Goldman sachs
    Junker, moans about Tax avoidance , but what did he do for Amazon when he was president of Luxembourg?
    The politician are fully behind Irish tax laws, look where the politicians go to work when they retire from politics


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    sophiexyz wrote: »
    Politicians say one thing for public consumption, and another behind closed doors.
    Barroso EU BOSS now works for Goldman sachs
    Junker, moans about Tax avoidance , but what did he do for Amazon when he was president of Luxembourg?
    The politician are fully behind Irish tax laws, look where the politicians go to work when they retire from politics
    I'll be honest: I'm not sure what this has to do with proposed tax harmonization?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,586 ✭✭✭4068ac1elhodqr


    First Up wrote: »
    But tax harmonisation will not happen.

    Not voluntarily, that is you can't 'push' someone into making a decision but you can certainly 'pull' them in a certain direction.

    Under any future austerity scenario, countries within the union have and can be pressured into e.g. increasing pension ages, liquidating assets, playing around with the average working hour weeks and so on.

    Corp tax is just another tool that could be open to 'influence or pressure'.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    Not voluntarily, that is you can't 'push' someone into making a decision but you can certainly 'pull' them in a certain direction.
    Can anyone logically explain why they are against the tax harmonization proposals? Or is this just the typical Politics forum complaining about things people know nothing about?


    Not specifically directed at you... this is an open invitation to anyone to explain their fear of proposed harmonization.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    I'll be honest: I'm not sure what this has to do with proposed tax harmonization?

    Politicians say one thing in public and another behind closed doors.
    They are full of lies, only looking out frothier pay masters, and that aint us , its businesses
    Google Nick Clegg.
    NICK Clegg has bought a £6.8million mansion in California as he begins his £1million job as Facebook's top spin doctor.
    I suppose he got that job on talent, and not for favours he done in the past?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    Can anyone logically explain why they are against the tax harmonization proposals? Or is this just the typical Politics forum complaining about things people know nothing about?


    Not specifically directed at you... this is an open invitation to anyone to explain their fear of proposed harmonization.

    Because they are lies!
    Politicians are not in favour, its just a bashing of ireland and its tax laws, plays well within their own countries, but they would **** twice and die if Ireland agreed to the changes .


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    sophiexyz wrote: »
    Politicians say one thing in public and another behind closed doors.
    They are full of lies, only looking out frothier pay masters, and that aint us , its businesses
    Google Nick Clegg.
    NICK Clegg has bought a £6.8million mansion in California as he begins his £1million job as Facebook's top spin doctor.
    I suppose he got that job on talent, and not for favours he done in the past?
    Genuinely, you can't buy a mansion in SF for £6.8m - Clegg bought a house.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    sophiexyz wrote: »
    Because they are lies!
    Politicians are not in favour, its just a bashing of ireland and its tax laws, plays well within their own countries, but they would **** twice and die if Ireland agreed to the changes .
    So you can't explain anything about it?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 38 sophiexyz


    So you can't explain anything about it?

    I Have explained, but you are in denial, politicians are only in it for themselves, i gave you several examples, the fact is the politicians could but dont change the law regarding the payment of tax, what more proof do you require to see the blustering about Irish tax laws is only to garner support in the politicians home country.
    They would **** twice & die if Ireland agreed to tax harmonisation, the politicians pay masters would not be happy


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    sophiexyz wrote: »
    I Have explained, but you are in denial, politicians are only in it for themselves, i gave you several examples, the fact is the politicians could but dont change the law regarding the payment of tax, what more proof do you require to see the blustering about Irish tax laws is only to garner support in the politicians home country.
    They would **** twice & die if Ireland agreed to tax harmonisation, the politicians pay masters would not be happy
    You haven't explained a thing. You haven't even indicated that you know what tax harmonization is...

    All you've done is rant about politicians.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,586 ✭✭✭4068ac1elhodqr


    Can anyone logically explain why they are against the tax harmonization proposals?

    When you say 'they', do you mean the Ire Gov?
    When you say harmonisation, we are refering to 'corporation tax' specifically, yes?

    AFAIK Dublin is very pleased with the 12.5% and the direct inward investment because of it, can the same be said for all other EU states?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    When you say 'they', do you mean the Ire Gov?
    I don't particularly agree with the Irish Government's opposition to the proposed tax harmonization proposals, but no; I'm not asking the Irish Government on boards.ie why they disagree with it, quite obviously I'd suggest.
    When you say harmonisation, we are refering to 'corporation tax' specifically, yes?
    When I say harmonization I'm discussing the only proposal on the table from the EU in relation to corporation tax. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that when people discuss things on a "serious" politics forum that they know what they are discussing.

    Feel free to prove me correct/incorrect on this point as you deem fit.

    But yes, I'm talking about corporation tax harmonization as proposed by the EU.
    AFAIK Dublin is very pleased with the 12.5% and the direct inward investment because of it, can the same be said for all other EU states?
    I'm sure that the companies that incorrectly claim this rate on European and international sales do enjoy the rate, but I'm not sure I understand the logic or the point of allowing this to continue? :confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,586 ✭✭✭4068ac1elhodqr


    ^Not sure really what point your trying to make, it's a simple scenario with two aspects:

    Ireland is very pleased (as are investors) with having low corp tax, but the vast majority of the EU isn't.
    Ireland can't be forced to increase the rate, but under circumstances can be 'pressured' into having a 'harmonic' rise.

    If you (FS^) have to ask if/what the negative effects would be of adding 10% or so overnight to CT, well....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Tax harmonization must and will happen. It's abjectly wrong to move income from the country in which it is incurred to a tax-friendly nation. In fact, Ireland's tax friendliness could become irrelevant tomorrow if another Member State decided to slash its rates. It's very short-sighted to object to harmonization when the bigger picture of rejecting it is either (i) loss of sovereignty of rates (unlikely) or (ii) competition on rates within the EU.

    That isn't tax harmonisation. Of course tax should be levied where the taxable income is generated but that has nothing to do with forcing Greece or Romania for example to have the same rates of corporation tax as Germany, Holland or Ireland


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Ireland is very pleased (as are investors) with having low corp tax, but the vast majority of the EU isn't. Ireland can't be forced to increase the rate, but under circumstances can be 'pressured' into having a 'harmonic' rise.


    There is nothing to stop any EU country offering the same - or lower- tax rate as Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    ^Not sure really what point your trying to make,

    It's not my fault you don't know about tax harmonization proposals is it?

    it's a simple scenario with two aspects:

    Ireland is very pleased (as are investors) with having low corp tax, but the vast majority of the EU isn't.

    Not relevant to proposed tax harmonization.

    Ireland can't be forced to increase the rate,

    Correct.
    but under circumstances can be 'pressured' into having a 'harmonic' rise.
    Not really.
    If you (FS^) have to ask if/what the negative effects would be of adding 10% or so overnight to CT, well....
    Can you please show where I made that claim. Otherwise, awaiting apology for misrepresenting my position.
    First Up wrote: »
    That isn't tax harmonisation. Of course tax should be levied where the taxable income is generated but that has nothing to do with forcing Greece or Romania for example to have the same rates of corporation tax as Germany, Holland or Ireland


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    First Up wrote: »
    That isn't tax harmonisation.
    Isn't it?

    Isn't it correct to say that the only EU proposed tax harmonization is that...
    Of course tax should be levied where the taxable income is generated

    Or are you suggesting that there is any proposal that "tax harmonization" has anything to do with CT rates?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Or are you suggesting that there is any proposal that "tax harmonization" has anything to do with CT rates?

    That's what harmonisation means.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,586 ✭✭✭4068ac1elhodqr


    Not really.

    Not really? Ah, in the same way Greece wasn't asked to bend over and take a large dose of EU austerity measures?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,586 ✭✭✭4068ac1elhodqr


    Or are you suggesting that there is any proposal that "tax harmonization" has anything to do with CT rates?

    You can dance around words and terms (digital tax recommedations and so on), but one of the main topics of conversation in Davos (again) was regarding the CT Rate (in it's most basic universal form) - of countries such as Ireland

    i.e. 'An unfair or un-level playing field', as it's often refered to by the EU.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Not really? Ah, in the same way Greece wasn't asked to bend over and take a large dose of EU austerity measures?

    They were also given quite a lot EU money.


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