Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 290: To ask the Minister for Finance if he envisages a reduction in taxation, direct or indirect throughout the next five years; if he expects the extent and quality of services to remain constant in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19679/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's approach to taxation and to the delivery of public services is set out in An Agreed Programme for Government and recent Budgets, Finance Bills, Estimates for Public Services and Public Capital Programmes. Our taxation policy is designed to maintain and strengthen the competitive position of the economy, foster economic and social development, and equity, while maintaining a sound fiscal stance. Within these constraints we will continue to concentrate the resources available to us on improving the quality of public services and delivering further real improvements to pensioners and people on low incomes. Decisions on tax changes and levels of expenditure on public services are taken in the context of the Government budgetary processes and in accordance with the appropriate Oireachtas procedures. In accordance with long-standing practice it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any future possible budget changes.