Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of establishing and running the last Commission on Taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39333/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Commission on Taxation was established by the then Minister for Finance on 14 February 2008. The terms of reference of the Commission were quite broad. It was asked in the context of maintaining an equitable incidence of taxation and a strong economy, to consider the structure of the taxation system and specifically to:

- Consider how best the tax system can support economic activity and promote increased employment and prosperity while providing the resources necessary to meet the cost of public services and other Government outlays in the medium and longer term

- Consider how best the tax system can encourage long term savings to meet the needs of retirement

- Examine the balance achieved between taxes collected on income, capital and spending

- Review all tax expenditures with a view to assessing the economic and social benefits they deliver and to recommend the discontinuation of those that are unjustifiable on cost/benefit grounds

- Consider options for the future financing of local government, and

- Investigate fiscal measures to protect and enhance the environment including the introduction of a carbon tax.

The Commission concluded its work with the publication of a comprehensive report on 7 September 2009. The records for the relevant business unit in the Department at the time show a total expenditure of just over €833,000. This does not include the staff or accommodation costs of the officials assigned to work in the Secretariat of the Commission.