The programme for Government recognises that our official development assistance programme is an essential element of our overall foreign policy. A fortnight ago, Christian Aid Ireland produced research on Ireland's role in facilitating tax avoidance by multinationals in developing countries, with particular reference to a company operating here in a number of locations. The positive impact of Ireland's overseas development assistance is being undone and our role in tax avoidance deprives these countries of much-needed tax revenue. It is the same as trying to fill a leaky bucket.

In response to questions on the Christian Aid Ireland research, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, recently committed to proposing legislation to address tax avoidance where such avoidance was not covered by an existing agreement. I would like to know if legislation is to be brought forward to address the tax avoidance identified by Christian Aid Ireland.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I have not had an opportunity to study that research. I have seen some news reports, but I do not know about it in any detail. In almost every budget and finance Bill there are proposals to close loopholes where tax avoidance and tax evasion is occurring. I am confident the Deputy will see some measures in that space in the Budget Statement and also in the finance Bill. We have already closed off loopholes in regard to stateless corporations, the double Irish and other avoidance opportunities that existed in the past. I am confident the Deputy will see more of that in the upcoming finance Bill.