asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the administrative detail involved for the general public and those engaged in income tax matters as consultants and advisers, he will reconsider his decision not to introduce a Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to deal with the matter indicated in his Budget last year and which Bill was originally to be introduced last Autumn.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
33.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the introduction of legislation relating to the abolition of Schedules A and B. The necessary provisions, which are at an advanced stage of drafting, will not be of a very technical or complicated nature and I consider that they could most appropriately be included in the ordinary Finance Bill.
Did not many of the Minister's Cabinet colleagues and many solicitors get on to the Minister to suggest that unnecessarily confusing advice had to be given to clients because they did not see that legislation?
I think the Deputy is aware of the history of the matter. It was my intention to introduce a Miscellaneous Provisions Bill last year to deal with this matter. That was not possible and I think, in all the circumstances, the simplest thing to do now is to include these provisions in the forthcoming Finance Bill.
It cannot be law in the ordinary course until July.
We have told everyone they do not have to pay the income tax assessment and surely that is what matters.
There is something else up the Minister's sleeve if he will not introduce it. That is what everyone believes.
I was not here to introduce it.
Will the Minister at least meet the queries in relation to this by saying whether he is going to introduce his Budget before or after Easter?
Almost certainly after Easter.
Will the Minister tell me whether it will be before or after Easter if I put down a question for next Tuesday? That is not unreasonable.
I will consider answering that question next Tuesday.