Negotiations between the Irish and British governments on a new double taxation convention are at an advanced stage, the British Treasury has confirmed. Senator Conor Murphy said the convention should reduce the need to engage with two tax administrations, making cross-border employment simpler.

Murphy noted that cross-border working is highly prevalent and growing, citing recent ESRI research indicating that up to 19,000 people regularly traverse the border for employment purposes. He said Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic brought cross-border working into sharper focus.

The removal of Northern Ireland from the EU created the potential for divergence in employment legislation, while remote working during the pandemic brought tax, social protection and employment legislation implications. Murphy welcomed recent engagements by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald with the British Treasury.

Murphy said mobility in the workforce is positive and must be supported. He has proposed wider issues for cross-border employment, such as access to social protection, recognition of qualifications and workers' rights, as a topic for consideration by the Seanad.

Archibald has engaged with the British Treasury on the matter. The new convention is being negotiated between the two governments.