The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, today (Thursday 14 February) announced the establishment of a Commission on Taxation, fulfilling the commitment in the Programme for Government, to review the structure, efficiency and appropriateness of the Irish taxation system.

The terms of reference for the Commission are:

Having regard to the commitments on economic competitiveness and on taxation contained in the Programme for Government, in particular, the commitments:

o       to keep the overall tax burden low and implement further changes to enhance the rewards of work while increasing the fairness of the tax system,

o       to ensure that our regulatory framework remains flexible, proportionate and up to date,

o       to introduce measures to further lower carbon emissions and to phase in on a revenue neutral basis appropriate fiscal measures including a carbon levy over the lifetime of the Government, and

o       the guarantee that the 12.5% rate of corporation tax will remain.

The Commission is invited, in the context of maintaining an equitable incidence of taxation and a strong economy, to consider the structure of the taxation system and specifically to:

o       consider how best the tax system can support economic activity and promote increased employment and prosperity while providing the resources necessary to meet the cost of public services and other Government outlays in the medium and longer term;

o       consider how best the tax system can encourage long term savings to meet the needs of retirement;

o       examine the balance achieved between taxes collected on income, capital and spending;

o       review all tax expenditures with a view to assessing the economic and social benefits they deliver and to recommend the discontinuation of those that are unjustifiable on cost/benefit grounds;

o       consider options for the future financing of local government, and,

o       Investigate fiscal measures to protect and enhance the environment including the introduction of a carbon tax.

As the introduction of a carbon tax requires a completely new tax charge and structure, the Commission is asked to commence work in this area immediately. The Commission is requested to report on the results of its examination and consideration and to make such recommendations as, and when, it thinks fit to the Minister for Finance but not later than 30 September 2009.

The Tánaiste said: “the work of the Commission will help establish the framework within which tax policy will be set for the next decade at least and it is important that the Commission take a strategic, considered and balanced perspective that recognises the evolving challenges we face. I believe that the wide range of skills and knowledge of the members of the Commission will help ensure that we get a report that can help shape future policy in a positive manner. I would like to thank the chair and members of the Commission for agreeing to serve on it”.

The membership of the Commission consists of representatives from the Social Partners - representing the business, trade union, farming and voluntary sectors - the accounting and tax advisory sectors that advise private sector business, both small and large, and includes economic expertise and people who have wide experience in central and local government.

The Tánaiste also said: “I decided to ask Frank Daly, who has wide-ranging senior public service management experience, to chair the Commission. The Commission will report as and when it sees fit but no later than 30 September 2009 in line with its terms of reference. I wish the members well in their work and look forward to receiving the outcome of their deliberations on this wide and complex remit”.

The members of the Commission are:

Chairperson

Mr. Frank Daly

Membership

Tom Arnold, CEO, Concern 

Julie Burke, JMB Tax Solicitors 

Micheál Collins, Department of Economics, Trinity College 

Frank Convery, Heritage Trust Professor of Environmental Policy   

Tom Donohoe, Partner, Russell Brennan Keane Chartered Accountants

Eoin Fahy, KBC Asset Management

Brendan Hayes, Vice President, SIPTU  

Sinead Leech, Director, Integral Finance and Technology Ltd

Con Lucey, Chief Economist, Irish Farmers Association

Colin Hunt, Division Director, Macquarie Capital Group  

Danny McCoy, Director, IBEC 

Fergal O’Rourke, Partner, PWC  

Mary O’Sullivan, Irish Bankers Federation

Mark Redmond, CEO, Irish Taxation Institute 

Willie Soffe, Chairman, Dublin Transportation Office 

Deirdre Somers, CEO, Irish Stock Exchange 

Mary Walshe, Chartered Accountant 

ENDS

Note for Editors

Mr Frank Daly, who is Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, will retire from that post on 12 March this year.