One-off Commission on Taxation and Social Welfare will not protect from aggressive planning

19 April 2021

Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance and Public Expenditure, Ged Nash, while welcoming the establishment of the Commission on Tax Welfare said that a one-off Commission rather than a standing commission would not provide the tax security and certainty Ireland needs on a long-term basis.

Deputy Nash noted that the need for a standing commission had been advocated by Labour for several years. 

“Given the complexity of tax law and the ongoing efforts of an advisory sector hellbent on exploiting every possible loophole within the code, the Labour Party has long advocated a standing commission to keep tax law under review.  

“The threats to our public finances will not cease when this one-off Commission is established and has reported next year.

“Nonetheless, the establishment of a Commission is timely and I wish it well in its deliberations.  

“The international tax environment is in a state of flux with a series of changes imminent.  While these may pose challenges to Ireland, we do not need to be fatalistic.  

“We need to respond proactively not just to ensure the viability and growth of our FDI sector,  but also to ensure the enhanced growth of a long term creative indigenous sector to support a generous welfare system to protect citizens most in need and to support a high skills high productivity economy.

“Decarbonisation will be a strong feature of our economy in the coming decades and we need to ensure that our tax and welfare code complements and does not impede our climate ambitions.

“I wish Professor Moloney and the Commission every success in her task an I look forward to engaging constructively with her and her team in the months ahead.”

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