Limerick book launch - Tax Haven Ireland
A new book that highlights how Ireland operates as "the biggest tax haven on the planet" is being launch in Limerick tomorrow night in the University of Limerick. The book is co-written by economist Dr. Brian O'Boyle and sociologist Dr. Kieran Allen. Dr. O'Boyle will speak at the book launch at 6pm in the Schuman building in UL, and the event is open to the public to attend.
Speaking about the book, Dr. O'Boyle said:
"In 2018 Ireland was exposed as the biggest tax haven on the planet, responsible for more avoidance than all of the Caribbean Islands put together. Businesses usually declare profits between 30-40% of their wage bill, but Gabriel Zucman and his colleagues showed that in Ireland the ratio was 800%.
"In 2019, the Central Statistics Agency (CSO) corroborated these findings, showing that each employee in large manufacturing firms was responsible for €687,000 in gross added value, or nearly 30 times more than would be expected.
"Through a combination of official data sources, reputable journalism and academic research, this book gives readers the inside story. It is the first, and currently, the only, book on the Irish offshore system."
"The first section provides the necessary historical background. It lays out the history of tax havens in modern capitalism and the history of the Irish economy since the founding of the state. The picture that emerges is one of establishment insiders capitalising on opportunities as they arose, to gradually create one of the world’s most important tax havens.
"The second section details the inner workings of tax haven Ireland. It explains how profits are moved into and out of the Irish taxation system and outlines the most important mechanisms responsible for these activities. It also exposes the key fixers in the law and accountancy firms and explains the role of the International Financial Services Centre (IFCS) in the tax avoidance industry.
"The third section links the offshore system to the wider Irish economy. It lays out the details of the case taken by the European Commission against Ireland for its support of Apple Inc and explains the links between the US corporate sector and Ireland’s tax avoidance tools. This section also looks at role of the offshore system in creating and prolonging the Irish housing crisis.
"The final chapters of the book puncture a hole in the official spin of the Irish establishment and outline the social and human consequences of tax avoidance.
"Oxfam estimate that 124 million children are deprived of education each year as taxes are siphoned out of their countries. They also estimate that tax havens are responsible for the deaths of up to 8 million people annually making this story one of financially engineered genocide.
"The Irish establishment have helped to create this awful state of affairs. They have connived with the world’s biggest companies to undermine democracy and create a global race to the bottom. This book explain this process and argues for a different society. One based on people power, democratic rights and social justice. "
The book is published by Pluto Press and has received widespread praise:
Possibly the best book to have been written about one of the world’s biggest and most dangerous tax havens
Nicholas Shaxson, author Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the Men who Stole the World
The shadow of tax avoidance looms large on any attempt to build a just and prosperous society after the Covid-19 pandemic. This book provides excellent insights and analysis and show how the rich are addicted to tax avoidance to the detriment of normal people. The text is very informative, enjoyable and easy to read. I am sure that it will have a large public readership.
Prem Sikka, author of Dirty Business: The Unchecked Power of Major Accountancy Firms.
Tax Haven Ireland is an important book. It exposes industrial scale tax avoidance being organised by the Irish elites and enjoyed by the world’s major corporations. The book blends detailed research with impressive insight. It deserves a wide readership.
Richard Boyd Barrett, TD for Dun Laoighre (People Before Profit)
