Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether the commitments to reduce the standard rate of income tax to 18% and the top rate of income tax to 40% contained in the programme for Government are viable; and if he will make a statement outlining that it is not his intention to implement these proposed cuts. [15247/08]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether, in view of recent economic developments which demonstrate the dangers inherent in an over-reliance on taxes related to construction and consumption, the proposals contained in the programme for Government to cut income tax rates were ill thought-out and would be detrimental to the State's ability to fund essential public services. [15242/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 76 together.

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to reduce the standard rate of income tax to 18 per cent and the top rate of income tax to 40 per cent over the lifetime of the Government, provided economic resources allow. It is clear that we have now entered a period of lower economic growth than was generally envisaged in the early part of last year. This process must be managed carefully so as not to jeopardise our longer term future and this is what I am doing. I would remind the Deputy that the Programme for Government is a five year programme. As such, the commitment must be judged over the full five years of this Government, taking account of the health of the public finances. Budget 2008 was the first instalment of the delivery of that programme.