Post by Papa C. on Sept 5, 2006 10:20:57 GMT
Opposition parties renewed their attacks on the Government tonight claiming a give-away budget was still on the cards following a massive increase in income from property taxes.
Fine Gael Finance Spokesman Richard Bruton claimed the Government is reaping a windfall gain from the booming housing market as new figures revealed the Exchequer is on course to receive €7.3bn from the sector in 2006 compared to €2bn in 2002.
Mr Bruton said the big budget bribe that was predicted after the last general election was on schedule.
“While the economy continues to grow strongly, it would be folly to ignore the significant number of economic uncertainties,” he said.
“Now is the time to plan a fiscal policy with a five-year perspective rather than focusing just on the short term.
“There are real risks associated with Exchequer dependence on a fragile property boom.”
Mr Bruton said the first crucial step for a sustainable fiscal policy must be to radically reform Budget preparation for 2007 to focus on value for money.
Labour Finance Spokeswoman Joan Burton said the positive exchequer figures masked woeful incompetence by the Government in the management of public spending.
“Today’s Exchequer Returns confirm yet again how dependent Government income is on the booming property market with another huge increase in stamp duty revenue,” she said.
“This excessive dependency on one single source of income is worrying because it is not totally reliable in the long term and could cause difficulties later.”
Green Party Finance spokesman Dan Boyle said the Government must be challenged about the effects of many of its current policy positions and where they are raising tax from.
“Income Tax is up close to €300m over the same period last year, Corporation Tax is up in region of a quarter of a billion. Capital Gains Tax has increased by €350m, while Excise Duties have increased by some €300m,” he said.
“The taxes that have shown the largest increases from the year have been the 700m euro increase in Stamp Duty and a one billion euro increase in Value Added Tax – VAT being the tax that is most imbalanced as regards its effects between the wealthy and poorer members of our society.
“Government tax receipts have been most fuelled by property speculation and by taxes on spending. This in turn is fuelling inflation.
“The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and the Government must be taken to task for the policies that have brought this aboutwith reckless long term consequences for the economy.”
Fine Gael Finance Spokesman Richard Bruton claimed the Government is reaping a windfall gain from the booming housing market as new figures revealed the Exchequer is on course to receive €7.3bn from the sector in 2006 compared to €2bn in 2002.
Mr Bruton said the big budget bribe that was predicted after the last general election was on schedule.
“While the economy continues to grow strongly, it would be folly to ignore the significant number of economic uncertainties,” he said.
“Now is the time to plan a fiscal policy with a five-year perspective rather than focusing just on the short term.
“There are real risks associated with Exchequer dependence on a fragile property boom.”
Mr Bruton said the first crucial step for a sustainable fiscal policy must be to radically reform Budget preparation for 2007 to focus on value for money.
Labour Finance Spokeswoman Joan Burton said the positive exchequer figures masked woeful incompetence by the Government in the management of public spending.
“Today’s Exchequer Returns confirm yet again how dependent Government income is on the booming property market with another huge increase in stamp duty revenue,” she said.
“This excessive dependency on one single source of income is worrying because it is not totally reliable in the long term and could cause difficulties later.”
Green Party Finance spokesman Dan Boyle said the Government must be challenged about the effects of many of its current policy positions and where they are raising tax from.
“Income Tax is up close to €300m over the same period last year, Corporation Tax is up in region of a quarter of a billion. Capital Gains Tax has increased by €350m, while Excise Duties have increased by some €300m,” he said.
“The taxes that have shown the largest increases from the year have been the 700m euro increase in Stamp Duty and a one billion euro increase in Value Added Tax – VAT being the tax that is most imbalanced as regards its effects between the wealthy and poorer members of our society.
“Government tax receipts have been most fuelled by property speculation and by taxes on spending. This in turn is fuelling inflation.
“The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and the Government must be taken to task for the policies that have brought this aboutwith reckless long term consequences for the economy.”
Did anyone see Bertie out for his stroll today in the papers?What a fucking twat,the scrounger went into a shoe shop and got a new pair of shoes for free,then he went to some other shop and did the same.I cant understand these people who treat politicians as celebs,id love bertie to walk into my shop ;D