Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath has said that Ireland must deliver a firm message on tax policy to the European Union this weekend.

He has said that Finance Minister Micheal Noonan must reiterate that tax rates are a sovereign issue to be decided by each individual member state.

EU Finance Ministers are meeting in Bratislava, where they are expected to consider plans for tax harmonisation throughout the EU.

It will be the first time that Minister Michael Noonan has discussed the Apple ruling with his EU counterparts, and it is expected that he will oppose plans for common tax laws across the Union.

Deputy McGrath said that we need to retain exclusive control over our tax affairs.

“It now seems clear that the European Commission will come forward again with more proposals for a common consolidated corporate tax base,” he said.

“So these proposals, as far as I’m concerned, represent a threat to Ireland in terms of jobs and investment, and the Minister has to make it clear that we will not countenance any transfer of sovereignty over corporation tax, or any tax.”