Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I accept that taxation does not fall within his brief, the Minister indicated that the Government expects revenue from income tax to reach €19 billion in 2017. Income tax receipts stood at €13.5 billion in 2007. Clearly, therefore, income tax revenue has increased by a sizeable amount. A single person moves into the higher income tax rate on earnings of €33,800, which is one of the lowest thresholds for the higher rate in Europe. How can we juggle all these balls and continue to fund State services? As the Chairman stated, our services are on a knife edge.