Government urged to avoid further tax hikes

Ibec is calling on the Government to ease up the pace of fiscal consolidation, and in particular, the employers’ group said the tax burden should not be increased at the next budget.

“We are 85% of the way towards returning the fiscal deficit to below the 3% limit and further adjustments in the public finances are needed over the coming years,” said Ibec chief economist Fergal O’Brien in the group’s latest quarterly economic outlook.

“This must be achieved in a way, however, which limits the damage on growth and employment.