Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With regard to this year's budget, will the Taoiseach clarify what the overall fiscal space might be for the proposals the Government intends to announce in two weeks' time? I am particularly interested in hearing the amount the Government intends to raise in new or increased taxes it already has referred to, such as the sugar tax and excise duties and so on, to allow and provide for spending increases.

The Taoiseach has also spoken at length about a concept termed "hidden fiscal space". What is that and how much hidden fiscal space has now been identified? In the context of the budget, a lot of people are worried about what will happen regarding proposed changes in property taxes, revaluations and, potentially, rates beyond 2019. People deserve an answer and clarity on that and where they stand, in particular people living on their own in houses and paying out of a pension or social welfare income.

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