asked the Minister for Finance when the white paper on estate duty will be issued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Estate Duty.
17.
In my budget speech I indicated that a White Paper on capital taxation would be published as soon as possible but that any radical re-shaping of our present system of taxing capital would require detailed study. This study is now in hands and every effort will be made to have it completed and the White Paper published, as a basis for discussion with all interested parties, by the end of this year.
Did I hear the Minister say that it would be issued by the end of the year?
Yes.
How is it that the Attorney General and a Parliamentary Secretary mentioned in my constituency last week that estate duty is to go completely? I should like to know what the Minister has to say on that.
Of course, the Deputy will understand that I am not being offensive to him when I find myself unable to accept any paraphrase he may have put on the remarks which were uttered, in his presence or otherwise. He may be assured that the Government's intention is to replace estate duty with an equitable form of taxation on wealth.
The Minister has said I paraphrased; I can show him the cuttings from the two newspapers concerned if he wishes.
I should be very glad to see any cuttings the Deputy may produce.