Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If we make any change in this regard, it would mean that the effects will be gradual, as I have already outlined, and if we were to make any bigger changes, we would then face the scenario where this group would not be paying any tax. We have already been down the path of seeing how quickly our tax base can narrow. Figures were published by the Revenue Commissioners earlier this month which show the care I need to take in ensuring that our tax base does not narrow too much, in order to sustain growth in spending and public services.

I shall now turn to investment in public services and in Sláintecare. In the past two budgets, the ratio of tax changes to public expenditure changes has been 2:1. The vast majority of additional resources have gone into investment in more public services. We are committed to Sláintecare but, as outlined in the summer economic statement, the total amount of resources available - once we pay for more investment in houses and in public transport, which I know the Deputy also wants - is €800 million. In the second half of the year, we will have to make choices regarding how we respond back to array of different demands.

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