O’Keeffe: Consider greater taxes for high earners

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe said the Government should consider increased taxes for higher earners, although he is not sure it would make a significant dent in the €4 billion cut being sought in public spending.

A hike in taxation for higher-paid workers rather than cutting public servants’ pay is a key demand of the public service unions, whose members will shut down schools, hospitals and other essential services today.

Responding to the Red C/Sunday Business Post survey finding that the measure the public would most support is higher taxation on those earning more than €100,000, Mr O’Keeffe said the issue could be considered.