Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I support the amendment and marvel at the fact that less than a year ago a number of parties in this House were advocating significant tax cuts. Of course, the difference is that this time last year we were facing into a general election and with the fear that the people might realise what was going on, it is probably understandable, if not forgivable, that tax cuts were being advocated in the face of the then emerging trend. The Minister's party was most culpable because it had access to the minutiae of the figures, considerably more so than any of the parties on this side of the House. Therefore, the sin is considerably bigger as a result. As we have seen, the promises have now been buried. They have been shelved, probably awaiting the next election when they will be wheeled out again, as they were in the past, in the full knowledge that they will not be honoured.

There is a need for a significant awareness campaign around people's rights and entitlements under the tax code. I accept, as others do, that there has been some movement on the part of the Department in recent years but, unfortunately, not enough. There should be automatic flagging systems in place developed through ITC in Departments to notify taxpayers of their entitlements. That should be a feature of all Departments. It is unfortunate that more has not been done to date in that regard and that the Exchequer continues to take people's money to which it is not entitled. I support the suggestion that right across the board, whether in doctors' surgeries or dental clinics, information be provided for taxpayers indicating their rights and entitlements to rebates. I, therefore, support the amendment.

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