Vol. 495 No. 7
91 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the representations, if any, her Department has made to the Department of Finance in relation to tax reforms for the low paid in the forthcoming budget; if so, if the representations she has made are in line with the broad view of the Partnership 2000 working group on tax credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21128/98]
I am committed to ensuring that tax changes in the forthcoming budget will benefit the low paid. My views on this issue are well known to my Government colleagues.
In addition senior officials of my Department participate in a number of groups which input to the budget process. The Deputy will appreciate that this process must be carried on with a degree of confidentiality and, therefore, I am not in a position to outline in detail the nature of the discussions taking place.
With regard to the Partnership 2000 working group on tax credits, I understand that the group has not yet reported. Therefore I cannot say if the group's views fully accord with my own.
