Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Finance the absolute value of the increase and the percentage increase in total tax raised since 2002; and if he is satisfied with the tax policies underpinning this trend. [4147/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In 2002, Exchequer tax receipts amounted to €29,294 million. Receipts in 2006 amounted to €45,539 million. This translates into an absolute increase of €161⁄4 billion or a percentage increase of 551⁄2 per cent since 2002.

A large part of the increases in taxes in recent years came from the Revenue Commissioner's special investigations and also the continued strength of the property market over the period. However, the main reason we are receiving more in tax is the significant growth in the economy over the period. The tax and economic policies being pursued by this Government have put more money into the pockets of taxpayers and they are spending and investing that extra money as they see fit. This extra spending and investment yields extra taxes. I am more than satisfied with the policies that have facilitated this increased economic activity.