Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I will pursue the matter further. I accept these are budgetary matters and I am not asking the Taoiseach what is in the 2009 budget or even the 2010 budget. I am asking him what is in the programme for Government and if it still holds.

In respect of this particular set of commitments, I wish to know if it still the Government's intention to cut the top rate of tax by 1%, the standard rate by 2% and employee PRSI rates by 2%? Is that still the Government's intention in its lifetime and does it form part of the programme for Government?

There are commitments relating to VAT rates for environmental goods and services, which the Government committed to in the programme for Government to cut from 21% to 13.5%. Is it still the Government's intention to do this? I am not asking the Taoiseach what budget will effect the changes but is it still the Government's plan?

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