Ireland's Green Party Calls On Government To Deliver On Promised Tax Breaks

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

03 September 2004

Commenting on the recent revelation that workers in Ireland are likely to receive a tax break which will boost their take-home pay in exchange for union support of the second stage of the national pay deal, Green Party Finance spokesman, Dan Boyle TD told the Irish media on Wednesday that:

"The ratification by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions of the second phase of the national wage agreement Sustaining Progress has left a number of hostages to fortune to the Government. It is now up to the Government to deliver in next December's budget."

He went on to add that:

"The implied increases in take-home pay given by the Government to the social partners need to go far beyond the effective tax rises brought about by the failure to index link tax bands and tax credits in the last two budgets."

Outgoing Finance Minister, Charlie McCreevy seemed on Tuesday to confirm reports of the planned tax break, announcing that although the December budget was a matter for his successor, he would have no disagreement with the granting of a tax concession for the Republic's workers.

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