Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Kenny is being disingenuous as usual. The fact is the tax initiatives contained in the programme are about rebalancing our tax system to keep taxes on labour as low as possible. They require a good deal of preparatory work and will be implemented over the lifetime of the Government. Some initiatives will be undertaken in that timeline too. It is important to point out the removal of the PRSI ceiling as proposed in the programme does not constitute a new tax. It is proposed to change the existing tax which would be redistributive in effect. The revised programme states the change would be introduced in parallel with the reduction of the temporary income levy. Basically, we are setting out the objectives and direction of tax policy. I would take with a pinch of salt any preliminary costings of the Fine Gael Party.

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