Statement from Jackie Healy-Rae TD on Finance Bill
The Finance Bill contains a number of significant changes from the budget. It is unacceptable to introduce these financial changes in a rushed manner.
I raised these matters directly in a meting with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance this morning. The Government has already conceded to my request on the issue of the application of the universal social charge
to medical card holders.
They have also agreed to my other requests.
No. 1. For parents who pay fees for a second and subsequent college student to be deductible against their tax liability.
No. 2. Bringing forward the pay and file deadline to the 30th of September would have serious consequences for farmers because the Single Farm Payment will not have been paid by the 30th of September leaving them with no financial resources to make the payment before the deadline. It would also have a huge negative impact on small business and the self-employed. Jackie told the Minister for Finance that these measures were to harsh. The Government has agreed to leave the deadline as it now stands.
It is appalling and unacceptable that the proposed taxation measures on bankers bonuses were not to be dealt with because of the time restriction placed by Labour and Fine Gael on the passing of the Bill. The Minister has agreed to my request to introduce an amendment to deal with this issue.
Because these assurances I got this morning I am voting for the Finance Bill it will probably be my last vote in the Dáil and I am doing it in the national interest., to give our country stability for job creation and to encourage foreign investment.
I know this Finance Bill is harsh and everybody will be hurt by it. I have thought long and hard but I can see no alternative the whole world is watching to see if we can stabilise our financial situation. Let history be my judge but I did everything I could for my country and future generations.