Dan Boyle (Green Party)

While I note the recommendation is not being pressed, I wish to outline some of my thoughts on the Commission on Taxation. It was included in the programme for Government at the suggestion of the Green Party and I am happy that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance has established the body. The terms of reference are not about what the commission can or cannot do. The commission has a specific remit to examine the taxation system. The terms of reference cover particular areas the commission will examine and report on. When published in 2009 I expect the report to be very wide-ranging.

I was concerned that the Senator's recommendation proposed introducing certain things without taking others into account. I refer specifically to the carbon levy, which is one of the priorities for the commission. I find offensive the suggestion that such a levy would be introduced without due regard for the ability of people to pay and its social consequences. I have every certainty that what will be proposed by the commission and adopted by the Government will be appraised on those lines. The Labour Party needs to indicate whether it believes in environmental taxation and if so that it can only be introduced without socially negative consequences. Everyone involved in the political system should accept that, rather than trying to score cheap political points.