Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Last year, we collected approximately €10 billion in corporation tax, rather than €14 billion or €15 billion. I do not believe the Deputy's suggestion - that all the funding that has been collected is windfall funding - represents a tenable assessment of the position. A lower amount was collected. While it is certainly possible in the coming period that not all of that funding will be sustainable, I do not believe it is likely that the vast majority of it will not be sustainable. In any event, this is why officials in the Department will work with their colleagues in Revenue to try to form a further view of the future sustainability of corporation tax receipts. This will be difficult in light of the work that is under way in the OECD. Decisions will be made towards the end of next year. It is important we do this work now. While the Deputy is correct when he says that corporation tax has been used to contribute to the funding of supplementaries that have been needed - I have acknowledged that we need to be aware of this vulnerability - I have to point out that corporation tax has enabled the massive increase in capital expenditure that has taken place since 2014. Many commentators in this area would say that windfall gains should be used to finance increases in capital investment, which is what has happened in recent years. The Deputy also asked about carbon tax. As I have outlined in budget 2019 and in other public statements, as a medium-term outlook I would like carbon tax to increase on a budget-by-budget basis up to 2030 until it reaches €80 a tonne. I will wait until nearer to budget day to decide what kind of change will happen in budget 2020. Obviously, I will work in conjunction with the Deputy's party on this.