In January 2017, the Knowledge Development Box Bill 2016 returned to the Seanad.
Following pressure from me at Committee Stage the Minister agreed to publish an annual report on outcomes of the measures implemented under the bill. However, I was disappointed that the Minister would not commit to providing the level of information we need to adequately scrutinise this measure. I was also disappointed that both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael voted against my amendments for Revenue to exchange information with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation around the cost to the exchequer of the measure and the tax forgone. My 'join the dots' amendment which proposed to track whether the Knowledge Development Box is linking up effectively with our wider innovation and employment strategy was also defeated.
"The real issue here is not about Canada and it is not about Wallonia, it is about the stubborn refusal, particularly by the European Commission, to acknowledge that the inclusion of special investor courts in international trade agreements is simply not appropriate or acceptable."
The six members of the Civil Engagement Group in Seanad Éireann have outlined their concerns in advance of Budget 2019, highlighting the cost of not investing in public services.