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The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney, TD, met this afternoon with Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary General of the OECD.

Mr. Gurría is visiting Dublin to launch the OECD’s latest economic review of Ireland, together with Minister Paschal Donohoe. He will also pay a courtesy call on the Taoiseach and address the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach.

The findings of the review are available here.

Speaking after the meeting at Leinster House, the Tánaiste said

“As one of the founder members of the OECD, Ireland prizes our membership and values the depth and breadth of our engagement with the OECD. It is one of a number of multilateral international organisations which are core to Ireland’s foreign policy and to how we operate in the world.

The OECD’s regular and robust economic analysis is an invaluable resource to the country. I discussed with Secretary General Gurría the latest Economic Review of Ireland which was launched this morning.  

Overall this latest review indicates gradual and steady improvement since 2015, but it also references the difficulties which Brexit is likely to involve for Ireland. I highlighted our wish to maintain as strong and close as possible a relationship with the UK after Brexit, including in trade, and updated Secretary General Gurría about the actions which the Government and stakeholders are taking to achieve this. 

We also discussed the review’s findings that Ireland’s recovery has broadened and our short-term economic prospects are generally positive, but that we will need to continue to boost the resilience of our economy to deal with the challenges ahead.”

The Tánaiste added:

“The OECD globally provides a key forum for likeminded countries to share best practice on how to engage with global challenges, including how to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Ireland works particularly closely with the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). My Department is currently preparing a new White Paper on development policy.

The OECD’s policy analysis and development is fundamental to the discussion on how to develop fair taxation in the global digital economy. The Secretary General and I are in complete agreement that a global solution is essential.”