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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)

Inquiry into Juncker’s tax record

Summary

Deputy Broughan calls for a European Parliament inquiry into Luxembourg’s advance tax agreements and Jean-Claude Juncker’s administration. The Taoiseach rejects the criticism, citing the European Parliament’s overwhelming rejection of a censure motion against the Juncker Commission.

I ask the Taoiseach again if he agrees that the European Parliament should inquire profoundly into the administration of Jean-Claude Juncker with regard to taxation policy. My colleague Nessa Childers, MEP, the only Irish member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, has been a strong supporter of the idea of an inquiry. Given that we know through the Lux Leaks investigation that Luxembourg gave approximately 550 advance tax agreements or comfort letters to these multinationals, a small number of which this country was also indirectly involved in, is it not an unsustainable situation that the European Commission would be investigating the tax policy of Luxembourg while headed by the person who presided over that tax policy for so long? Will the Taoiseach agree that Jean-Claude Juncker's position is untenable and that he should step aside?

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Does Deputy Mathews have a quick supplementary question?

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It will take me 30 seconds. Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a short story in no more than six words. He did: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." I would like to-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Sorry: where are we going here, Deputy?

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Just listen, a Cheann Comhairle.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

What question are you asking?

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In 47 words-----

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Bernard Durkan Deputy Bernard J. Durkan Fine Gael

For whom the bell tolls.

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Please, Deputy Durkan. The Taoiseach answered and discussed Deputy Martin's questions, but in 47 words there is a short story which says-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Deputy, hold on a minute, now. This is Question Time-----

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A Cheann Comhairle, 47 words-----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

-----and there are six questions here, but that does not relate to any of those issues. Please resume your seat.

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Am I the only person who is not allowed to introduce a question?

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A Cheann Comhairle, give him a break. He is a nice man.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

No. This is Question Time.

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I want to ask the Taoiseach about the policy of Bank of Ireland that is the legacy----

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

That is not to do with any of the questions here.

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A Cheann Comhairle, thank you again.

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He is a nice man, a Cheann Comhairle.

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Maybe the Taoiseach will give me leave to ask the question.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

But this is not one of the questions on the Order Paper. You have to stick to the questions on the Order Paper.

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Deputy Broughan was-----

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

In respect of Deputy Broughan's comment on Jean-Claude Juncker, I do not accept that at all. There was a full scale plenary session of the European Parliament last week where a motion of censure was put against the Juncker Commission. That was debated and there were 101 votes for the motion and 461 votes against. It was supported by the 48 MEPs of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy, EFDD, group, out of 751 members. None of the other six parties supported the motion. Therefore, I do not accept the Deputy's argument at all. President Juncker was endorsed by the European Council, representing all of the 28 countries, and by the European Parliament, covering all shades of political opinion. The Deputy's MEP colleague is quite entitled under the rules of the European Parliament to follow the procedures it adopts, and the European Commission is now a new Commission and is quite entitled to follow its nose wherever it thinks it should go. I will not interfere with the workings of the European Parliament or any of the Members who know the rules and procedures there.

In respect of Deputy Mathews-----

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