asked the Minister for Finance the number of income tax payers resident in greater Dublin whose net income in the financial year 1972-73 exceeded £2,500.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Income Tax Payers.
38.
Statistics relating to income taxation are not compiled on a regional basis to enable the information requested by the Deputy to be given.
Would the Minister say whether or not in regard to the compilation of the figures referred to he will be able to give an approximate number in respect of the Dublin area?
No. I do not think any statistics could be given, which could be relied upon, on a geographical basis and, in those circumstances, I would say it would be most undesirable to give any figures which might well lead to a misunderstanding of the situation. The Deputy has already, in an earlier supplementary question, indicated how a misunderstanding can arise.
There was no misunderstanding.
When one comes to deal with facts one should be certain that the facts are as stated.
Is the Minister aware that the offices in the city are divided into certain groupings of people employed in the city and it is rather difficult, therefore, for me to accept from him that it would not be possible to get the figure for which I am looking?
Wait until that monster on Inchicore Road starts working.
The basis on which people are taxed is not entirely related to their geographical location. It would be possible to give it on a national basis but not on a geographical basis.
Would the Minister agree that the number of people concerned would be in excess of the impression which was given in the advertisement which appeared from his Department where they said that only a very small number——
If the Deputy could extend his national interest beyond the Royal Canal and the Tolka the difficulty he has in mind would not arise.
Question No. 39. We must pass on. I have given the Deputy every latitude on this subject.
Would the Minister agree that information would be more appropriate than this trick-of-theloopery?
Question No. 39.
If the statistical services built up by the previous administration were as precise as the Deputy and ourselves would wish to have them, it would be possible to answer the question but it is not, in the present unsatisfactory state of statistical information.
In view of what the Minister has said, what plans has he got to change the statistical service in order to enable the kind of information sought here to be produced?
Sin cheist eile.
Yes, but——
The Chair has called Question No. 39.
——this is a question which the Minister should be able to reply to if he can say what he does say.