Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The Department of Finance was of the view that the tax neutral position is now in excess of 9%, and if one wanted to collect extra income one would have to go beyond that. Curiously, the Minister mentioned in today's speech the introduction of a universal social charge but did not nominate the rate at which it would be introduced. That is not fair and when a budget is presented, it must be transparent. He cannot fool the people by announcing a universal social charge and not nominate in his speech the rate at which it will apply.

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