Cowen avoids setting timeframe for bringing in radical proposals
Brian Cowen, pictured on the Dunbrody ship at New Ross, Co Wexford, yesterday, says he will examine the plans.
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TAOISEACH Brian Cowen yesterday refused to commit to any timeframe for the implementation of the proposed tax reforms.
Mr Cowen said that the Government will now have to examine the report from the Commission on Taxation and that Finance Minister Brian Lenihan will come back with proposals before any decisions are made over the "coming years" on taxation.
"We've just received this report and over nine months' work has gone into it and I think the Government have to look to the future now and see how we reshape the tax system over time," he said.
Asked if there would be a timeframe involved in implementation of the report, he replied: "I can't anticipate any Government decisions in any of these areas until we actually consider it and the Minister for Finance comes forward with recommendations.
"They're making 250 recommendations and it's a commission that has been very many months in the making and it sets out a framework for the future.
"What the Government has to do is, over the coming years, see what way those recommendations can be interwoven into our system, to bring in a more equitable and fair system and one that will be as efficient as possible and promote enterprise and jobs."
Mr Cowen described the report as "a comprehensive examination of our tax system" which "sets a framework of reference of our tax system over the next decade".
As the first major review of our taxation policy for over 30 years, it was also a "timely contribution" because of the "serious recession and serious downturn in our revenues".
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the proposals would help shape the country's taxation system over the next decade, with many of the measures being phased in over several years.
"To achieve economic recovery we must address the different challenges that we face, stabilise our public finances, resolve the difficulties in the financial sector and improve our competitiveness at the same time," the minister said.
"This report will play a role in stabilising our public finances and improving our competitiveness."
- Conor Kane
