Tax Haven Ireland

by Brian O’Boyle, Kieran Allen

This is the story of how a small island on the edge of Europe became one of the world’s major tax havens. From global corporations such as Apple and Google, to investment bankers and mainstream politicians, those taking advantage of Ireland’s pro-business tax laws and shadow banking system have amassed untold riches at enormous social cost to ordinary people at home and abroad.

Tax Haven Ireland uncovers the central players in this process and exposes the coverups employed by the Irish state, with the help of accountants, lawyers, and financial services companies. From the lucrative internet porn industry to corruption in the property market, this issue distorts the economy across the state and in the wider international system, and its history runs deep, going back the country’s origins as a British colonial outpost.

Today, in the wake of Brexit and in the shadow of yet another economic crash, what can be done to prevent such dangerous behaviour and reorganize our economies to invest in the people? Can Ireland – and all of us – build an alternative economy based on fairness and democratic values?

Genres: Economics

280 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 2021

Reviews

[Tom Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to others. It gives an excellent explanation of how tax havens operate and the role they play within the global financial system. The authors do a great job of explaining both the historical development of tax havens, alongside how they currently operate, meanwhile linking all of this to Ireland and its economy.

Of particular interest to myself were the sections dealing with Ireland's economic development over the course of the 20th Century, and the rationale behind turning Ireland into a tax haven. The authors do a fantastic job of dismantling the myth that Ireland is a "neoliberal success story", and firmly demonstrate that the Irish economy now rests on very shaky foundations.

All in all a strong book.

[James Renaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets into the nooks and crannies of this banana republic.

[Luke Hosford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made for very interesting reading as a Revenue employee. The corruption and scheming at the centre of the Irish state and its history is laid bare in this depressing account of the real story of Ireland's economic development. Ideologies and narratives around our 12.5% tax rate and all the benefits that foreign money brings are turned over and sifted through to show just how much we are letting these companies get away with, the tiny number of people that are involved and making enormous amounts of money off it, and the huge majority of people suffering as a result of these neo-colonial, highly corrupt practices. This includes the Irish people. A thoroughly eye opening, depressing read

[Pablo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy buen libro si se desea entender en profundidad y detalle el rol de Irlanda en la "Red Mundial de Evasión", que es clave y pivotal. Entra en detalle al respecto de las múltiples industrias a las que Irlanda ayuda a evitar impuestos a escala global.

El libro no es exactamente placentero, pero es muy denso de data y no deja muchas dudas sobre su argumento. Recomiendo solo a cualquiera que quiera conocer este tema en detalle.

[frederic · Rating 4 out of 5]

ich liebe dass 2 ökonomen sich in diesem buch über die steueroase irland eine seite nur dafür freigehalten haben um klarzustellen was für ein bastard steve jobs auf persönlicher ebene war