Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I welcome the Minister. With regard to the table on page 22, the increase in taxation over the period was from €36.6 billion to €44.9 billion, which is €8.3 billion. The reduction in current expenditure is hardly anything - I believe it is about 4%. I know the media presents Deputy Noonan as a cutting Minister for Finance but in fact he is a tax increasing Minister for Finance. That is what has led to a lot of demoralisation outside. I calculate that the Minister tackled the deficit on a ratio of 96:4 in that period. What is the thinking behind that very strong emphasis on extra taxation?