asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail a comparison between Ireland's rate of taxation and that of each member country of EFTA and EEC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish and European Taxation Rates.
53.
As the detailed comparisons of tax rates are in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
The table shows that the level of total taxation in this country, that is, including local taxes and social security contributions, was lower than in all the member countries of EFTA and EEC except Portugal and Switzerland in 1966, the latest year for which comparable statistics are available.
Following is the table referred to:
TOTAL Taxation (excluding taxes on capital *) expressed as a percentage of GNP— 1966.
|
Taxes of General Government (including local authorities and social security contributions) expressed as a percentage of GNP |
|
|
Portugal (1965) (EFTA) |
19.4 |
|
Switzerland (EFTA) |
21.7 |
|
Ireland |
27.1 |
|
Italy (EEC) |
29.1 |
|
Luxembourg (1964) (EEC) |
30.6 |
|
Belgium (EEC) |
31.1 |
|
United Kingdom (EFTA) |
31.3 |
|
Denmark (EFTA) |
31.5 |
|
Germany (West) (EEC) |
34.9 |
|
Netherlands (EEC) |
35.7 |
|
Norway (EFTA) |
35.8 |
|
Austria (EFTA) |
35.9 |
|
France (EEC) |
38.6 |
|
Sweden (EFTA) |
41.1 |
|
Ireland's rank from the highest |
12th |
*The OECD definition excludes taxes on capital.
Sources: OECD “National Accounts Statistics”, OECD “Border Tax Adjustments, 1968” (for Portugal), CSO “National Income and Expenditure, 1966” (for Ireland).