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All Annoyance at French/EU Talk of Common Corporate Tax Base
Read more about: Europe, Government, Irish Politics, Referenda
The press releases today were absolutely hopping up and down to make sure everyone was aware that the French Finance Minister and the EU Tax Commissioner should be given no weight whatsoever when considering their comments on a common-consolidated-tax-base.
French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde told reporters on Monday, April 7, that France is “determined to push” for a common corporate tax base in the 27-member bloc when it takes over the EU presidency in July.
EU Tax Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs has expressed support for the plan, which would cut red tape and simplify cross-border business deals.
“There is a real need for the member states to act together in certain tax policy areas,” said Kovacs on Monday.
The area is governed currently by national Veto power so all states would have to agree to the proposals before it became law. However I would be astonished to think that the French Finance Minister and the EU Tax Commissioner would be so politically naive to suggest this as a referendum campaign is underway in Ireland, with the power to shoot down the Lisbon Treaty.
Clearly the major parties appreciated the damage it could do as one after the other the Alliance for Europe, Fianna Fail, Labour and others sought to rubbish such talk as mere grand-standing.
Its a dangerous time for EU officials to engage in this if they don’t know what is at stake and if they do know what is at stake, what are they at?
Add that to the decision on mobiles in planes, which is a gift for tabloids in portraying a European Commission making rules that “normal” people wouldn’t want. It does make me wonder if Dermot Ahern fully briefed his foreign minister colleagues on the delicateness of the situation at the ministerial in Slovenia a couple of weeks ago — he was there to update them on preparations for the Lisbon vote.
Granted that we have a veto, but surely this is still useful information? I mean, anyone who opposes the CCCTB might have an interest in the policy objectives of the French government, and it might rightfully influence their attitude to the continued strengthening of the EU. For example, the point of our membership is hardly so that we can exercise our veto.