Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Another question concerns a bugbear of mine. It is not really relevant at this stage, but I intend to pursue it again. I refer to the decision by the European institutions in recent times to sidestep, as I would see it, the authority of the member state to look after its own taxation policies and to cross-reference in this regard with state aid and competition. I know the Minister has made provisions in this regard, insofar as can be done, but is it valid to inquire as to whether this is a subtle way of bypassing the member state's involvement in and responsibility for fixing its own taxes?