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SPEAKING AT AN OECD seminar this morning, the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said as soon as the resources are there, the Irish government will look to widen the average band rate of income tax.
At the seminar, entitled “The Euro Area at crossroads,” Noonan addressed the issue of possible income tax cuts in the next budget, which Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated last week.
Speaking to CNBC News at the IBEC conference Convention Centre Dublin, Kenny said he accepts that “income tax levels are too high here”.
Kenny’s comments came after IBEC advised the Government to cut income tax as a means of boosting consumer spending because many employers can not afford wage increases.
Noonan denied today that it was complacent to make such a move, adding that even through difficult times the Irish government were prepared to make tax cuts.
Damaging
He explained that income tax was too high, stating that they were damaging job creation.
“As soon as we have resources will be widen the average rate band of income tax so the people can earn more before hit the higher rate and can do more overtime” before they are also hit. He added that it was “not a process to endear ourselves with the people”.
Noonan said “politics is an art rather than a science” stating that the one thing the Irish government “did well, was bring the people with us, one has to talk to the public all the time”.
He added, however, that everyone in Ireland “is clear” that the government will continue on the path to meet their restructuring targets and corrections as long as they are in power.
However, he said that Ireland was moving at a good pace, stating that market confidence is high, the public finances are “under control” and growth predictions are good. He added that bank confidence has also improved, stating: “So far, so good…”.
He did state however, that the Irish government only sees it as a “job half done”. He said that Irish people are “very committed Europeans” and that we are not “looking to Europe to solve our problems” but that if Ireland’s objectives are achieved it would be good for both Ireland and Europe.
Shocking stuff from Leinster. They weren’t at the races at all today and they were totally outmuscled physically by Clermont. The set-piece was an embarrassment and the attack was dysfunctional again. We weren’t helped at all to be fair by Pearce’s disgraceful refereeing, but a bonus-point win should be a given in all of the Champions Cup pool stage games. Barrett, Ryan and Henshaw were the only good players in a match littered with mistakes.
@Frank O’Hara: Pearce is the new Wayne Barnes.
@Frank O’Hara: It’s not quite accurate to say that the set piece was an embarrassment. The scrum actually went very well for a change. The lineout was poor though which is a recurring theme and a worry. Expecting bonus point wins as a given is a bit ridiculous though and is an attitude that would cause the team to take their eye off the ball.
Could have been better, could have been worse
@Basildon Joe: unlike the useless Munster
@Gavin Delves: Obsessed ye are. Just because ye have no real fans or history just money. Sad really
@FoxyBoiiYT: Nice burn Foxy !!
@Gavin Delves: totally unnecessary remark from a sad little man
@FoxyBoiiYT: lol…I think History is now in Leinster’s favour. Real fans fill their grounds….which Leinster regularly do. Leinster won that game playing quite poorly. The French are the yardstick for European Rugby over the last 4 years….so well done Leinster. Imagine what they will be like when they click back into gear..? Some Team. Hope Munster improve….
@Joe Kelly: he was replying to a much crasser comment…..
Nienaber knocking the skill level out of Leinster. He is a disaster.
@Patrick Kelly: Agree, hard to see what he has improved.
@Patrick Kelly:…that’s is a valid and perceptive comment …..but and it’s a big but, Leo must be giving him the nod to do it.
Ireland will be lucky to reach a RWC 1/4 next time. Nienaber and IRFU are doing a great job in developing an over-hyped one trick pony in Leinster.
Leinster need more International mercenaries.
If Cullen does win the Championship Cup this season.
He has to go.
With a squad like that.
He should have win 2/3 of them.
No more jobs for the boys.
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