[Satire] Ahern pledges to close income tax loopholes

Victor

"Next" year.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1202/budget.html

Ahern pledges to close income tax loopholes
02 December 2004 22:57

In the wake of the Budget, the Taoiseach has said the Government will close loopholes that allow some wealthy people to avoid paying income tax.

Bertie Ahern warned wealthy individuals using such tax reliefs that 'their game is up'. In a post-Budget interview for RTÉ Radio, Mr Ahern said that next year's Budget would deal with such people.

The issue has hit the headlines in recent weeks, after it was revealed that some wealthy people - including millionaires - have been able to use tax reliefs to avoid paying any income tax at all.

In yesterday's Budget speech, the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, said he was going to review those reliefs in advance of next year's Budget, saying that unlimited reliefs are no longer acceptable.

Speaking to RTÉ, Mr Ahern said the Government could not allow people to use reliefs to avoid paying any contribution to society.

He promised the issue will be dealt with in next year's Budget - but only after careful study of the economic implications of capping or removing such reliefs.

However, Opposition parties have criticised the Government's stance, claiming that Mr Cowen's review is simply giving people an extra year to avoid paying tax.

Victor

http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/4558636?view=Eircomnet

Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Seamus Brennan, who threw such a hissy-fit when he got the job, was busy out of his pram, gathering up the toys and throwing them back in.