Commission on wealth and income distribution
Horgan pressed for a commission to map wealth, its productivity and distribution before considering taxation. O'Kennedy said existing data was adequate and distinguished a general taxation commission from a wealth commission; the Chair ruled Horgan's final question irrelevant.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will establish a commission on the ownership and distribution of wealth and income in Ireland.
Comment on this
What is the point of establishing a commission on taxation of wealth if he is not first prepared to set up a commission with the specific remit of finding out precisely where assets are located, the degree to which they are productive or non-productive and the degree to which they can be taxed? Surely the Minister has put the cart before the horse.
Comment on this
I did not establish a commission on wealth as the Deputy has said; it is a commission in relation to taxation generally, which is a very different matter.
Comment on this
Why does the Minister consider it unnecessary to establish a commission on wealth and its distribution?
Comment on this
Because there is adequate data available to the Government at the moment on income and the distribution of wealth which would make this an unnecessary exercise.