Lowry may not back Finance Bill

Independent TD Michael Lowry has indicated he may vote against the Government on the Finance Bill.

Deputy Lowry said he told Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan this morning that "he would not support the Finance Bill in its present format."

Deputy Lowry said he requested the Taoiseach at today’s cabinet meeting change elements of the bill.

Among the amendments he has requested are for medical card holders to be exempted for the Universal Social Charge.

Deputy Lowry also asked the Taoiseach to rethink the decision to bring forward the Preliminary Tax Payment date from October 31 to the September 30, saying it would only increase difficulties for the already hard-pressed self-employed sector this year.

Deputy Lowry alsosaid that it is impossible to justify the omission of the purposed punitive 90% tax on wjat he called "obscene" bankers' bonuses.

"The Finance Bill is the most important piece of legislation in the entire year and it is totally inappropriate for it to be rushed through in three days," Deputy Lowry said in a statement.

The Independent deputy had some harsh comments for the Government in reference to the political upheaval of the past fortnight, saying he had "no obligation or responsibility to now support a dysfunctional government."

"The past week has witnessed the dramatic collapse of the authority of the Taoiseach and the Government," Deputy Lowry said.

"It is unprecedented for there to be a mass resignation of Ministers and it is unprecedented for a Taoiseach not to be able to appoint Ministers.

"This power vacuum, at a time of national economic crisis, is made all the worse by the internal disarray of the Fianna Fail party and the destabilising and irresponsible “half in - half out” performance of the Green Party since last November."

The Dáil is set to being a fast-track debate on the Finance Bill later today with the aim of getting the legislation to the Seanad by Saturday so it can be signed into law by next Tuesday.

The move has been agreed by the Govt and major Opposition parties in a bid to expedite the General Election, the most likely date for which now appears to be February 25.