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Tax return via Shutterstock

Tax dodging costs Europe €1 trillion a year say campaigners

The Irish government is part of the problem, campaigners say.

CAPITAL FLIGHT OF taxes from developing nations costs Europe €1 trillion a year and the developing world nearly €800 billion.

That is the opinion of a new report by the European Network on Debt and Development.

The cross-European report ‘Giving with one hand and taking with the other’ found that a lack of governmental action on tax compliance had led to a loss of €1 trillion to the exchequers of 13 EU countries.

Of the countries surveyed, none supported the use of the UN as the international policy makers on tax policy. The OECD, which is populated by developed nations, is preferred.

The report accuses governments of failing to demand transparency from businesses, of providing scant ownership details and of making data unavailable.

Sorley McCaughey from Christian Aid Ireland, one of two Irish groups involved in the report says Ireland is part of the problem.

“The Irish Government’s failure to take adequate steps to ensure multinational companies pay their fair share of tax is costing developing countries billions of euro each year, far more than they receive in aid.

We call on the Irish Government to support urgently needed global measures to compel greater tax transparency from companies and individuals and to ensure that developing countries are included in setting new global tax rules.

The report can be read here.

Read: Pay-and-file tax deadline won’t change next year, 2015 date could be earlier though

Read: Six tax defaulters paid out bills of over €1 million each between June and September

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17 Comments
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    Mute Do the Bort man
    Favourite Do the Bort man
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    Mar 16th 2017, 8:14 AM

    the recorders have not actually been found, but they know the general location of where the recorders (and hopefully the wreckage) actually are, so it shouldn’t take too long to locate them. Such a terrible loss of life, from some of our bravest people. RIP

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    Mute Daire Brady
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    Mar 16th 2017, 8:00 AM

    Hopefully all are found!

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    Mute Ronan C Gantly
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:28 AM

    Still shocked. As a pilot I am aware of the many risks but I also know there are only so many risks you can legislate for. Hopefully there’s closure soon for the families involved.

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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Mar 16th 2017, 10:18 AM

    @Ronan C Gantly: would I be right in saying if the box is still in the wreckage there’s a chance of finding the rest of the crew still onboard?

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    Mute Ronan C Gantly
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    Mar 16th 2017, 1:44 PM

    @Jon Mackey: reasonable to expect that yes.

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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Mar 16th 2017, 10:43 AM

    To lose someone you loved suddenly is a tragedy, but to lose that person and not retrieve their body brings about suffering that few of us comprehend . I hope that their bodies are returned to their loved ones soon .

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    Mute Lapmo Dancer
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    Mar 16th 2017, 11:13 AM

    *Captain Mark Duffy

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    Mute Christopher Gibbons
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    Mar 16th 2017, 10:55 PM

    Shared a house with and worked alongside Captain Mark Duffy in San Fransisco. A very capable guy. A truly terrible situation.

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    Mute PWD Dublin
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    Mar 16th 2017, 2:08 PM

    Shock, respectable coverage of the tragedy and a reminder of the bravery of those that risk their lives. I’m still confused with the timidity towards wanting to understand what actually caused this tragedy. Yes, the voice and technical black and red box recorders will, if recovered reasonably intact, reveal a lot. However, this was a highly experienced crew not involved at the time of it’s disappearance with the rescue effort, returning to re-fuel. No mayday? No communication? Disappears off the radar? If this turns out to be a catastrophic mechanical failure surely it is in the interests of all other crews flying this helicopter type on our island that a focus is placed on its cause.
    It is a world away from macabre interest and respect for those who have lost their lives to ask these questions surely?

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    Mute Bryan Long
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:19 PM

    Is the government jet in the USA and are Air Corp personnel who should have been providing fixed wing cover for this flight out of the country?

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