Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance with respect to the revised memorandum of understanding of 10 February 2012 if he will detail what is meant by a broadening of personal income tax base, a restructuring of motor taxation and a reduction in general taxation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9969/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is aware that the published Memorandum of Understanding of 10th February 2012 proposes a budget for 2013 to include revenue measures to raise at least €1.25 billion (inclusive of carryover from 2012); these measures to include a broadening of the personal income tax base, a restructuring of motor taxation, a reduction in general tax expenditures and an increase in excise duty and other indirect taxes. Without prejudice to the minimum consolidation amount referred to above and in consultation with the staff of the European Commission, the IMF and the ECB, the Government may substitute one or more of the above measures with others of equally good quality based on the options identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. In my Budget 2012 Statement, I highlighted a number of areas that would be considered for revenue base-broadening in 2013 These included a commencement of a consultation process with the motor industry and other interested parties to review options for VRT and Motor Tax, flagging the broadening of the PRSI base to cover rental, investment and other forms of income and the further reform of the tax treatment of supplementary pension provision. However, the Deputy will also be aware that it is not the practice of the Minister for Finance to discuss the precise or specific details of measures which may be under consideration as part of a future Budget and Finance Bill package.