I move:—
(1) That income-tax shall be charged for the year beginning on the 6th day of April, 1954, at the rate of 7/6 in the £.
(2) That surtax for the year beginning on the 6th day of April, 1954, shall be charged in respect of the income of any individual the total of which from all sources exceeds £1,500 and shall be so charged at the same rates as those at which it is charged for the year beginning on the 6th day of April, 1953.
(3) That the several statutory and other provisions which were in force on the 5th day of April, 1954, in relation to income-tax and surtax shall have effect in relation to the income-tax and surtax to be charged as aforesaid for the year beginning on the 6th day of April, 1954.
According to the Standing Orders of the House, as Deputies are no doubt aware, it is necessary to introduce Financial Resolutions as the foundation of the Finance Bill. The first Resolution that is being circulated at the moment to the members of the House is in respect of income-tax and surtax. The effect of that Resolution is exactly the same as the Resolution that was dealt with in the former Dáil on the 21st April. As the Deputies will see on the paper there is a second, General Resolution, and perhaps I might ease the mind of Deputy Aiken if I tell him I will make a short statement on the General Resolution.