Increased tax receipts being gained from vulnerable sectors in economy - Boyle

?On the surface the end of August financial statement from the Department of Finance makes interesting reading in terms of additional tax receipts, but when more closely examined, it needs to be pointed out where these tax receipts are coming from. The Government has to be challenged about the effects of many of its current policy positions.

?Income Tax is up close to ?300 million over the same period last year, Corporation Tax is up in region of a quarter of a billion. Capital Gains Tax has increased by ?350 million, while Excise Duties have increased by some ?300 million.

?The taxes that have shown the largest increases from the year have been the ?700 million increase in Stamp Duty and a one billion euro increase in Value Added Tax - VAT being the tax that is most imbalanced as regards its effects between the wealthy and poorer members of our society.

?Government tax receipts have been most fuelled by property speculation and by taxes on spending. This in turn is fuelling inflation. The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and the Government must be taken to task for the policies that have brought this about with reckless long term consequences for the economy.?