As Minister for Finance, I have managed in successive budgets and Finance Bills to create a low tax rate environment across all taxheads. It is a position from which the economy has thrived. Despite the need to increase revenue yield this year, I have stuck to my core belief that the best direct tax rates are low tax rates. However, if we want low rates, we must also secure a wide tax base to fund this policy. This Finance Bill is designed to consolidate our position going forward. I commend it to the Seanad.