I think it is not massively disingenuous to use the newest data available. I did not find much better figures for 2015 or 2016. Another source suggests that Ire

I think it is not massively disingenuous to use the newest data available. I did not find much better figures for 2015 or 2016. Another source suggests that Ireland has been net contributor since 2013 and continued so in 2015. http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-financial-gain-from-eu-frances-fitzgerald-facts-2894694-Jul2016/ http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-financial-gain-from-eu-fran... It is true that Ireland has been a huge net receiver from EU for a long time. Now that it becomes a net contributor, I suppose we could call that "development". And perhaps this shows that Irish tax policies do increase its economic activities.