Department claims figures are speculative

THE lucrative tax breaks given to the very rich have cost the State at least €1 billion over the last 10 years, Labour’s Finance spokeswoman Joan Burton claimed yesterday.

However, a Department of Finance spokesman said the figures were hugely speculative.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen told the Dáil this week the Revenue Commissioners estimate the cost of the various incentive schemes as €200 million in one year.