Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

This proposal was made in some detail by the Labour Party. I am glad that, in the context of the formation of the new Government, the Taoiseach accepted, however reluctantly, that there should be a commission on taxation. I am aware that the Tánaiste has been an opponent of the idea of achieving tax justice, particularly for ordinary PAYE workers. He obviously had to bow to the exigencies of the situation and accept that there would be some form of commission on taxation.

It is important that there be some discussion on what the commission will do. In this context, it is very important that the Tánaiste outline to the House his thinking on who will head the commission and who its members will be. If they are simply those with vested interests, such as those in the Irish Taxation Institute and tax accountants, who make a lot of money advising very rich people on how not to pay tax, it would be unacceptable. Will ordinary PAYE taxpayers, who are the people who need tax justice, be represented? Will the commission be composed mainly of those who help rich people to pay little or no tax here? That is the critical question and I would be grateful if the Minister would elaborate on his proposals.

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