Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister agrees it is a significant issue. The vast majority of people welcome and recognise the benefit to Ireland of being a member of the EU. Given the likelihood of the UK leaving the EU, however, and the changes being made in any event in the multi-annual financial funding programme, it is important that the Minister tell the House and the people the parameters of the discussion. As recently as 2017, the contribution by Ireland to the EU budget was €173 million, whereas last year, it rose to €315 million. My understanding, which the Minister has not contradicted, is that for 2021, it is likely to increase by approximately €760 million. We all appreciate that it will be a significant imposition and burden on future budgets. Will he broaden the tax base to ensure that ordinary workers will not pay the bulk of it, and change his view on bank taxation?

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