Opposition accuses Lenihan of breaking budget promises

PROMISES in the budget that the rich would “pay their fair share” have been sidestepped in the newly published Finance Bill, the opposition claimed last night.

Both Fine Gael and Labour criticised Finance Minister Brian Lenihan for ignoring many recommendations to reform the tax system contained in the Commission on Taxation report published last September. In his December budget speech, Mr Lenihan said “high earners must pay their fair share”.

But according to Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton, the minister has “sidestepped” many of the Commission’s recommendations to abolish tax avoidance schemes that benefit the super-rich.