Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The position was the same when a former leader of the Labour Party was Minister for Finance. We have tightened the rules since then. The changes to which the Deputy refers came into play when the Labour Party was last in government. Let us talk about facts. Whether a person is resident or non-resident, he or she must pay tax in respect of any businesses he or she has in the State.

The Deputy asked about the welfare system without notice. If he had put me on notice, I would have a full answer for him but I will get a full answer. It is not honest to say to people that one is committed to making sure we get our public finances in order by 2014 but there will be no cuts in social welfare. We have a prospective Government opposite. One crowd says there will be no increases in income tax while the other crowd says there will be no cuts in social welfare but it will implement the necessary adjustments and policies. That is not a credible or honest position.

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