Seanad debates

Wednesday, 26 November 2003

Book of Estimates 2004: Statements.

 

Senator Ross's comments were interesting, particularly those about low tax. The Labour Party is not in favour of high tax for the sake of it – I do not think anybody is, at least I hope not. I acknowledge that tax can and should play a role in redistribution within society; it is right that it should do so. However, primarily, at this point in the economic cycle and in our development, the Labour Party is interested in securing as much as is necessary from the taxation system to provide a decent level of public service. Some of those services should be provided free at the point of delivery, some should be provided on a universal basis and some should be provided at a cost to some people, but not to others. If I was framing a budget, I would look at priorities in terms of service provision and at ways of finding the money from taxation or elsewhere to finance them. That is the difference between Senator Ross and the Labour Party. Senator Ross believes taxation is bad and should be reduced to the basic minimum, while the Labour Party takes a different view. We look at the service which is needed and try to find the money to pay for it.

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