Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The period since the general election in 2002 has not been a period of bonanza. If one examines the figures, it is clear that the tax take has increased dramatically relative to income in that period. The increase may not be clear on the income tax side because there were increases in VAT, stealth taxes and local authority charges such as bin charges. The increases may have taken place outside the view of the Cabinet, but they have been imposed nonetheless. People have had to face an increased tax take. I am not making up these figures. Since 2002, the tax take——

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