Ahern pledges to stamp out tax dodges

Next week’s Budget will stamp out abuses of the tax system by the wealthy,Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said tonight.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said well-heeled citizens could not be allowed to dodge tax through property speculation or tax incentive schemes.

He told 2,000 delegates at tonight’s Cairde Fáil fundraising dinner: “We cannot and will not allow a situation to continue where some of the wealthiest people in our society can use property and other tax incentives to avoid paying any income tax at all, while they continue to benefit from the public services paid for by ordinary taxpayers.

“The minister for finance will address any abuse of such property and other tax incentives in next week’s Budget while maintaining the positive contribution to development that such incentives can make.

“The approach we are taking is thoughtful and balanced so as to ensure that we minimise the impact on employment, particularly in the construction sector.”

Disadvantaged sections of society including hard-pressed families and people on low wages will also be supported in the Budget, Mr Ahern said.

Special guests at tonight’s annual dinner in Dublin’s City West Hotel included All Ireland-winning senior hurling captain Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, athlete Caitríona McKiernan, Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabhain and Damian Richardson, manager of Cork City FC, winners of this season’s League of Ireland title.

The Fianna Fáil leader also said that IRA decommissioning in September was one of the most important turning points in the peace process.

Mr Ahern went on to reiterate his opposition to Fine Gael’s proposals to give secondary school students a choice to continue study the Irish language.

“We do not want an Ireland where students who are completing second level education are not studying the unique heritage of our own Irish language.

After speaking briefing in Irish, he added: “It would be a grave mistake to take Irish out of the core school curriculum. It is a mistake that Fianna Fáil will not make.”

He clarified that he would not call a general election in 2006 as the party had to continue its hard work.

“It will be a year of continuing and steady progress for the Irish people and a government that is working for them and with them,” he said.

He praised the Transport 21 plan as an unprecedented strategy for a state-of-the-art transport system.

“It will underpin our competitiveness, promote balanced regional growth and enhance the quality of life for generations to come,” he explained.

Concluding his speech, he said: “We will work with the Irish people to keep the economy on a steady path and we will deliver steady progress on the issues that count for people in the coming weeks and months.”