Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I refer the Taoiseach to the last report of NESC, which issued in October. Among the observations made in that report on the state of the economy was that Ireland's tax burden remains significantly below the European Union average and that an increase in the tax share of GNP from 2009 levels will be needed to provide satisfactory public services and welfare benefits. That recommendation flies in the face of what I understand has been Government policy for some time. What consideration has the Government given to this report and, in particular, NESC's recommendations on taxation?

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