Introduction
Dublin's IFSC, which was set up by the Irish Government with EU approval in 1987, is globally recognised as a leading location for a range of internationally traded financial services, including banking, asset financing, fund management, corporate treasury management, investment management, custody and administration and specialised insurance operations.
More than 430 international operations are approved to trade in the IFSC, while a further 700 managed entities are approved to carry on business under the IFSC programme. The centre is host to half of the world's top 50 banks and to half of the top 20 insurance companies. Merrill Lynch, Sumitomo Bank, ABN Amro, Citibank, AIG, JP Morgan (Chase), Commerzbank,BNP Paribas and EMRO are just some of the big-name operations that have chosen to locate in the area. A sophisticated support network, including shared services centres, software development, and legal and accountancy companies, has also developed around the IFSC.
Background
The IFSC was established in 1987 under legislation designed to boost activity and employment in the Irish economy. The Government had identified the growth potential of the international financial services sector and recognised that Ireland had the capacity to develop in the industry because of its well developed financial infrastructure, a sophisticated internal and international communications system and a young and highly educated population.
The Finance Act, 1986, introduced financial incentives to encourage urban renewal and investment by the private sector. The Finance Act 1987 established a special 10 percent corporation tax rate for certified companies setting up in the IFSC. From the end of 2002, this 10 percent rate ceased to apply to financial services companies, except for those operations that set up before before July 1998, which continued until the end of 2005. All other operations are now subject to the standard corporation tax rate of 12.5 percent on trading income.
Since the 1st January 2006, companies in the IFSC in Dublin pay tax at the normal corporation tax rate of 12.5 per cent. The special IFSC rate ended in accordance with agreements between Ireland and the EU on state aid rules. The 12.5 per cent is still below the corporation tax rate of many of Ireland's European competitors; although several new EU countries from eastern and central Europe have also slashed their corporation tax rates to emulate Ireland's achievements in attracting foreign direct investment.
Site Development
The initial designated site of the IFSC was 11 hectares of land in the Custom House Docks area of the Dublin's City Centre. This area was one of the largest blocks of prime urban land in the city to be designated for redevelopment. The Customs House Docks Development Authority was established to redevelop the area. Construction started in late 1988 and the first building, the Western Block, was completed and occupied by Allied Irish Banks in 1990.
In May 1997, the Custom House Docks Development was dissolved. At this stage, the IFSC had 114,000 sq m of office accommodation, as well as 333 apartments, a hotel, multi-storey car park and retail space, including a pub, restaurants and the Dublin Exchange Facility. This area is now known as IFSC I.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority was established in 1997. Its main functions are to continue to develop the original Custom House Docks Area (IFSC I); to develop IFSC II, and to facilitate the development of the Docklands North Lotts area.
A further 4.8 hectares of land has been redeveloped to provide IFSC II, which includes 70,000 sq m of new office space. The overall area is now 15.8 hectares and accommodates over 184,000 sq m of office space, as well as two hotels, two bars and restaurants, a large residential development, retail, a crèche and the €100m National College of Ireland campus, which was officially opened in April 2003.
Irish Government sees the IFSC as a driving force behind the physical rejuvenation of the north inner city, and believes that the successful development of the Custom House Docks Area has provided the foundation for the ongoing development of the wider Docklands Area.
Approval and Certification of IFSC Companies
Up until the end of 1999, companies wishing to commence trading in the IFSC at the 10 percent corporation tax rate had to secure both taxation certification and approval from the relevant authorities. The system of approval and certification has now come to an end for both standalone and agency managed companies.
Applications to establish a presence in the IFSC at the time were initially dealt with by the IDA's financial services division. Companies would then have to seek approval to operate under the 10 percent corporation tax regime from the Certification Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC was made up of representatives from the IDA, the Department of Finance, the Department of Enterprise and Employment and the Central Bank. The main issues for consideration included:
- the reputation, experience and financial strength of the promoting company
- the proposed activities
- the expected contribution to the IFSC's development.
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