EU taxing issue

THERE has been much talk recently about the Government proposing new taxes — property taxes, water charges, etc. It is right that these things are rigorously debated in public before they are implemented.

However, the Lisbon Treaty gives the EU power to impose taxes (Article 311). Given that Ireland is now set to become a net contributor to the EU before 2013, this is a dangerous power to hand over to Brussels just as we undergo recession? What percentage of tax will they be able to impose: 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%? There is no stated limit in Lisbon.

Neither can we democratically change all the personnel in the EU institutions if we are unhappy with their decisions.