asked the Minister for Finance the total amount collected by the State in taxation for the year, ended (a) March, 1956, and (b) March, 1966.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Collection of Taxation.
5.
The total net amount collected by the State in tax revenue and motor vehicle duties was £94.3 million for the year ended 31st March, 1956, and £203.7 million for the year ended 31st March, 1966.
May I take it that, since 1956, this has doubled and that we have also borrowed over £400 million? Where are we going?
In 1956, it was at a rather low ebb.
Not as low as at present. There is money for nothing at the present time. Everything is being put on the long finger.
The increase in the ten-year period is from £551 million in 1955-56 to £1,015 million in the current year.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary remember when the Taoiseach was to reduce taxation and bring it back to the 1953 level?
Can the Parliamentary say what percentage of the total national income was paid in taxation in 1956 and in 1966?
I have not that information.
That is a separate question.