ICAI Seeks To Dispel Lisbon Treaty 'Myths'

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

03 June 2008

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) has expressed concern about what it dubbed "the confusion being spread by advocates of the Lisbon 'No' campaign in relation to Irish Tax policy".

In a statement issued on Monday, the ICAI sought to dispel what it considers misinformation being spread by certain elements of the 'No' campaign in the run-up to the 12th June referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, which proposes to streamline the European Commission's political decision-making machinery.

"The Lisbon Treaty does not affect Ireland’s tax sovereignty. It is not related to the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base, which is a framework of proposals being worked upon by European Union civil servants, which even if they come to fruition cannot be imposed on Ireland," the ICAI stated.

"ICAI has been campaigning against the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base since its inception. There are those who seem to believe that there is an EU wide conspiracy to compel Ireland to take part in the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base. But, if that is the case, why are they campaigning against a Treaty that confirms our tax veto?," the statement asked.

"Far from furthering the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base, a Yes vote for Lisbon will help us campaign against it," the Institute concluded.

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