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Sam Boal

The National Museum has 'no spare space for vagrant Senators' (according to An Taisce)

A statement from the national trust said the museum “has no spare space for the convenience of vagrant senators”.

IRELAND’S NATIONAL TRUST An Taisce has lodged a second complaint over the Seanad’s temporary relocation to the National Museum.

The trust said it was prompted to make the complaint to the Dublin planning department after the digging of a foundation-pit for a lift that is to be attached to the outside of the protected building.

The temporary relocation of the Seanad to the museum is expected to cost in the region of €1.5 million.

Vagrant senators

In the middle of October, An Taisce lodged a complaint about the development citing the building’s protected status.

An Taisce said planned changes to certain rooms will result in the loss of amenities such as a Viking-themed audio-visual display. The museum said it has “no spare space for the temporary convenience of vagrant Senators”.

Public Works Junior Minister Séan Canney’s department, responding to a question by TD Tommy Broughan, said the department “has no function in the determination or management of the accommodation requirements of the Houses of the Oireachtas or of the National Museum of Ireland.”

Dr Mark Clinton, of An Taisce’s Monuments & Antiquities Committee, said: “Deputy Broughan has observed that there are ready-made alternatives available to the Senate within the grounds of the Oireachtas; for example, the LH2000 chamber or indeed the large Committee Room in Kildare House”.

“Why should an accommodation issue in Leinster House become a problem for the National Museum? What have the Senators got to say for themselves? Their silence is deafening.”

Read: Cat killed after firework strapped to its mouth in Tipperary >

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25 Comments
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    Mute Jeebus xrist
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:03 AM

    I’m no economist, but something needs to be done. Otherwise we’ll be bumping along on the bottom like this for decades.

    121
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    Mute Denito
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    Mar 25th 2014, 6:58 AM

    The marginal tax rate is absolutely crazy.

    With a marginal tax rate of 55%, where is the incentive for a small business owner to expand and create employment?

    All in the name of high earners “paying their fair share” as the tax-and-spend brigade would have it.

    107
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    Mute CMac59
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:39 AM

    If one earns over 32ek one will be paying 52% in tax. People who are registerd as companies don’t. PAYE workers can’t claim expenses or perks as some others can.

    We need the multi-nationals to pay more than an effective tax rate of 2.2%.

    Government is caught up with the FDI and multi-nationals especially as this gets them junkets and trips broad.

    Richard Bruton is a millionaire like his brother John Bruton a multi-millionaire farmer with a TDs, ministers and EU pension of which he takes every penny. He is also chairman of the IFSC – a “wild west cowboy” centre as the German ambassador observed a few years ago.

    20
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    Mute Anne Kerins
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:06 AM

    I think the U.S.C has the tax that has hurt the most, it needs to go, local economy is almost gone, shops shut everywhere,

    104
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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:14 AM

    You are correct the local economy is in ruins too much reliance on an export led recovery.

    If war breaks out with Ukraine the worlds economy will slow and we arw truly screwed since our domestic economy is in ruins .

    50
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:41 AM

    The problem is Fine Gael are trying to repair the damage from putting all of our eggs in one basket (property) by putting all of our eggs into another basket (exports). Nothing wrong with supporting exports but relying solely on them for our recovery is a terrible idea.

    The only way Ireland is going to recover in a sustainable manner is by rebuilding the local economy and supporting the growth of Irish companies. Absolutely nothing keeping those large export-oriented MNC’s here for the long-term. A home-grown company provided for by the government is more likely to keep its money and employment on Irish soil.

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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:59 AM

    Governance is a huge problem, it’s obese and the costs of it are crippling. We have too many councillors, local authorities and T.D.’s. Until something major is done there, nothing will change and It’ll take a major revolution to change it. The Turkeys in Dail Eireann, are drunk on power etc., and won’t do what’s right!

    19
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    Mute Lamb
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    Mar 25th 2014, 6:46 AM

    Hit the nail on the head.

    88
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    Mute sean o reilly
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    Mar 25th 2014, 6:58 AM

    But I thought our dear leaders said we’d turned a corner . Have they been lying? Surely not.

    88
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    Mute Jim
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:08 AM

    We’ve turned so many corners we’re just going round in circles now…

    87
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    Mute Nicole McCormack
    Favourite Nicole McCormack
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:08 AM

    Ah the old IBEC line again….cut tax for the rich and continue the cuts for the lower paid and those on benefits and those that depend on public services. What we need is increased pay for workers and if there is room for tax reductions it should be targeted at increasing tax credits and reducing the USC on lower and middle income workers. IBEC still under the thumb of the American Chamber of Commerce.

    80
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    Mute Jason Davis
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:48 AM

    If you think €33k per year is high earnings, you’re delusional. That’s the point where the high bracket of tax kicks in. You protest for protests sake. Name one thing IBEC said that is wrong and wouldn’t benefit everyone?

    48
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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:04 AM

    Nicole incomes will only rise with increasing prosperity. No nation in history has ever taxed itself into prosperity. No more than a family can increase its wealth by giving their children more pocket money.

    34
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    Mute CMac59
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:44 AM

    Jason Davis

    Ibec only represents business and how to further its members interests to the cost of the rest of the society.

    Just like the unions represent mainly only cushioned public sector workers.

    They are the facts.

    6
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    Mute David Dolan
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    Mar 25th 2014, 12:21 PM

    I agree Nicole. An increase in tax credits would be the fairest.

    The high margin of tax is reached at too low income level. The effect of increasing tax credits would also move the tax band up by that amount also.

    Anyone earning average incomes are struggling but those falling below €30K must be struggling most.

    4
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    Mute cillian32
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:14 AM

    Taking more money out of the lower paid is crazy as they spend what they have …however cutting tax for the well off is just plain stupid as the just sit on this money most of this time .

    78
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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:23 AM

    I think it said they would like to raise the point at which the higher tax bracket kicks in. This would raise the income level of all the lower paid. Also why is it acceptable that the government take more than half of the income from anybody, no matter what they earn?

    66
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    Mute Nicole McCormack
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:30 AM

    That’s not true Michael. The only people that benefit are those earning over the mid 30k. The more you earn over that amount the less you will pay. There is not a cent in tax reductions for lower paid workers. It’s designed to refuse tax on the rich. This proposition is supported by FG. Reality is that lower paid and those on welfare and depending on public services will pay for the cut in the tax for the rich

    39
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    Mute Nicole McCormack
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:31 AM

    “Reduce “

    9
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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:45 AM

    Nicole you are saying that the more someone earns over 30k the less they pay in tax! Come on now that’s factually incorrect. A combined cut in tax rates, be that income tax, PRSI and all the levies would be of benefit to everyone but more so the lower paid where every penny counts. I’m not a subscriber to the school of thought that the tax system should be penally progressive. In the very nature of percentages, it is progressive anyway…The more you earn the more you pay in hard cash.

    35
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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:45 AM

    Nicole you are saying that the more someone earns over 30k the less they pay in tax! Come on now that’s factually incorrect. A combined cut in tax rates, be that income tax, PRSI and all the levies would be of benefit to everyone but more so the lower paid where every penny counts. I’m not a subscriber to the school of thought that the tax system should be penally progressive. In the very nature of percentages, it is progressive anyway…The more you earn the more you pay in hard cash.

    7
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    Mute Jason Davis
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:50 AM

    Over 32/33 is not high paid. You should be questioning your SIPTU leaders about their very high pay and their slush funds.

    You really should move to the North Korean workers paradise.

    33
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    Mute Nicole McCormack
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:29 AM

    You miss the point Michael… Anyone earning less than the average industrial wage will not gain a cent by the IBEC proposal.

    23
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    Mute Jason Davis
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:51 AM

    So anyone on less than the average industrial doesn’t have a pension? Stop Nicole ffs. The pension levy reduction will benefit all employees. A reduction in tax at the higher rate would also benefit all people. It would give employees on the lower rate to take up that overtime option that is sometimes available and make it worthwhile. It wound encourage people to work towards getting that bonus… Are you do begrudging that you wouldn’t like to see people’s tax liability be lowered?

    7
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    Mute Seamus Larkin
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:37 AM

    i see the right wing Jason is at it again…big IBEC supporter. I’m sure he is a blueshirt supporter. Nicole is right of course…this is designed to give the rich a break at the expense of the less well off….

    7
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    Mute CMac59
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:42 AM

    Michael Burke

    OECD has stated that Ireland has a regressive tax rate and every notable economist agrees.

    6
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    Mute Jason Davis
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:24 PM

    What’s rich? €32k a year? What’s wrong with a cut in tax? Or a reduction in the pension levy?

    1
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    Mute Jarlath Murphy
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:10 AM

    By taxing the middle into impoverishment you are strangling the demand side of the economy. Everyone has to contribute their fair share.

    64
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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:16 AM

    You are correct however lower middle class have become the lower class as a result of government policies. For the rich they keep getting richer.

    58
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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:43 AM

    Hold on a second the FG propaganda machine tells us we have turned a corner. Our bank sector is capitalised and all is ok. Our unemployment is going down due to job creation. We need to stop media coverage of banks and all things bad says our leader Enda and focus on the positives.

    Now I am confused since IBEC says different. Who to believe .

    40
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    Mute Joe Curran
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:09 AM

    Ibec specialised subject “the bleedin obvious”…. “we want better Government” …. cause the alternative to that is a “worse Government” and we all want that dont we ?…. and “more entrepreneurship ” ….. cause the alternative is “less entrepreneurship”….. they havent had an original thought in their heads since ardnacrusha ….. i can easily fix the economy the ibec way …… “Create meaningful and sustainable employment and increase the standard of living for ordinary people and develop an open and free economy and a fully functioning banking system “…… Done !!!! ……wait ….you mean the economy isnt fixed just cause i said these bland generalities???? you mean some thing has to be actually DONE before the economy is fixed …..ah here i said id fix it the ibec way ….. someone else will have to do all the work ….NOW THATS THE IBEC WAY!!!!

    38
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    Mute Josh Barton
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    Mar 25th 2014, 9:39 AM

    And don’t forget. IBEC was a s complicit in the demise of the economy as the rest of the insiders. Ask yourself the question. Who are the major funders of IBEC. Banks, Multinationals, Semi states. What sort of an agenda would they be peddling with paymasters like this. The engine of the Irish economy is the SME sector. Always listen closely to what they say

    13
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    Mute Joe Curran
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    Mar 25th 2014, 9:50 AM

    ISME? the annoying yapping chihuahua that wont stop yelping …. when they have anything worth saying satan will invest in ice skates ….

    17
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    Mute Josh Barton
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:52 AM

    Obviously an Insider yourself Joe !

    2
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    Mute Joe Curran
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    Mar 25th 2014, 11:38 AM

    no you’re obviously a yapping chihuahua yourself josh! ….. i attack ibec and isme and that makes me an insider …. now who’s at the mad hatters party ?

    8
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    Mute Liam Lawless
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:25 AM

    It is unacceptable for any government to take a marginal about of over 50% off anyone’s income.

    31
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    Mute Enda Smith
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:32 AM

    Will our dear Europe leaders (Herr Merkel) and bondholders let Enda make such sensible alterations to rid us of our UNFAIR tax burden. ENDA grow a pair and do what’s right for Ireland for a change and listen to IBEC. But guess what we have a charade today with muppets debating Garda politics and miserly grants to councils (LPT, thanks for that one Hogan). How long more can people sustain these criminally high taxes? Over to you Enda

    30
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    Mute Sean Smyth
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:07 AM

    Herr means mister. Frau I think you’re looking for.

    18
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    Mute Enda Smith
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    Mar 26th 2014, 7:00 AM

    Intended Herr as she has more Cajonees than our leader,

    1
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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:00 AM

    The heads in the government don’t understand that ,nails are cleverer

    28
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    Mute Gary Keegan
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:49 AM

    More entrepreneurs…boll*x. Self employed for a number of years and when it all went tits up where was our protection? Years of paying taxes etc and not even given job seekers. If it’s in you to do it then do it, just not in Ireland.

    27
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    Mute Richard Finn
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:53 AM

    IBEC are a bunch of idiots putting out these reports to feather there own interests and to hell with the working people of the country.

    26
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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:07 AM

    There is too many self serving idiots in the country let alone IBEC.

    We need more transparency in goverment and more social inclusion in decision making in ireland.

    Too few have too much power that affects us all and decisions are done in a cloak and dagger way.

    15
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    Mute Niall H
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:19 AM

    Good old ibec, full of bright ideas with no intention of implementing them.

    24
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    Mute Jason Davis
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:52 AM

    IBEC can’t implement national policy, that’s the job of government. IBEC can suggest changes and lobby for that.

    26
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    Mute Seamus Larkin
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:35 AM

    ah IBEC and FG and FF are all the one……work for the rich of this country….

    6
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    Mute Niall H
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    Mar 25th 2014, 1:16 PM

    That’s what I meant like, how much will they actually lobby for this?…

    1
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    Mute Tom Newell
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    Mar 25th 2014, 9:52 AM

    IBEC actually giving a dam about the ordinary worker……well thats a first they only used to tell us everyone was earning too much money so cut wages and now when no ones spending are suddenly worried about the economy…….funny that

    19
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    Mute richardmccarthy
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    Mar 25th 2014, 11:31 AM

    If people are being taxed at 52% and taking home just 48 cents in every euro earned because of high taxes and charges to fund the welfare state this is the fault of government, not IBEC, under Fianna Fail the standard tax rate was around 24%, less than half the present rate,is it any wonder retail stores are lying empty when central government is spending 50pc of every penny earned in the country,socialism is fine until the money runs out,then they have no idea how to generate income other than just more taxation

    4
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    Mute Farbin
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:27 AM

    Better government and entrepreneurship?? Who would have guessed

    18
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    Mute Cb Gill
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    Mar 25th 2014, 8:35 AM

    IBEC are clearly dodging the relevant statistics. Statistics that clearly show that IBEC’s members need to to engage in some serious pulling up of socks:

    http://notesonthefront.typepad.com/politicaleconomy/2014/02/low-tax-economy-for-slow-learners.html

    9
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    Mute A2xF7BTC
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    Mar 25th 2014, 7:11 PM

    A fundamental handicap to our economy, the thing which has got us here in the first place, is our euro membership.

    We are unable to pursue monetary and fiscal policy which is tailored to protect our own economy. The ECB in Frankfurt sets those policies, and the ECB’s priority is not Ireland, no not us, but the survival of the euro currency itself. EU and German officials have constantly stated they are willing to go to “any lengths necessary” to ensure the survival of the euro currency. They’ll drag us through any amount of hell and depression as long as their currency survives.

    The German economy is the pillar economy of the eurozone, not ours, and therefore it is the ECB’s priority to tend to Germany’s economic needs at any of ours expense. This is why we had the property bubble in the first place: Germany needed low interest rates and cheap credit at a time when Ireland desperately needed to cut back on lending and growth. The ECB of course works for Germany’s best interests, maintained their low rates, our economy went into overdrive and the crash for us was catastrophic.
    Those ECB economists were well aware of what was happening in Ireland, and they continue to spout rhetoric about how we need the Euro and we couldn’t survive without it. It makes me sick that people buy it, are we so naive and gullible?

    What’s going to happen when Ireland’s economy is put into overdrive again because of a monetary policy which suits Germany? I don’t want to have to say I told you so. Our economy is doomed to suffocation and crashes with the euro, just face it.

    Ireland with the Euro is like driving a car in Ireland using a map of Germany. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking we’re getting anywhere soon.

    8
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    Mute Jim Walsh
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    Mar 25th 2014, 9:50 AM

    Seriously, what rubbish is this? Does IBEC not think that the Government would cut taxes or raise the marginal rate in a hearbeat if they though they could? Every politician wants to cut taxes because it’s popular.

    The problem is that wonderful deficit that IBEC seem to have completely forgotten about. We’re still borrowing money to pay to run the country despite what we take in from taxation. It’s interesting to note that there is not one mention of how IBEC proposes to fund the cuts in income taxes that they are calling for.

    6
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    Mute CMac59
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:47 AM

    Jim Walsh

    As the only country in the world to make private banking and developer debt public at the behest of the EU/EC do you really think our politicians care about people or will defend them at any level.

    FF, FG and Labour are all gutless and sold out the Irish people for generations to come.

    8
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    Mute kingstown
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    Mar 25th 2014, 10:00 AM

    blah blah blah – all code for give more tax relief to businesses, tax the workers more

    5
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    Mute Energy Elephant
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    Mar 25th 2014, 9:23 AM

    Maybe some free supports on how startup can take advantage of tax relief schemes would be nice. Also, a few more hubs in the grand canal area would not go amiss.

    5
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    Mute Neil Corcoran
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    Mar 25th 2014, 3:43 PM

    We need a reduction in rates & tax credits for SME’s. Wages are long overdue an increase too. Addressing this will stimulate the domestic economy.

    4
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    Mute Derek ODwyer
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    Mar 25th 2014, 9:01 AM

    There are so many support divisions and services provided by government now for small business that most of the money destined to support the small business is eaten up by bureaucracy before it ever gets to the coal face – this looks like another one – it is very important that small businesses are encouraged to grow and prosper – the provide so much employment throughout the country. For many, it is still a very challenging environment and all support is appreciated.

    4
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    Mute CMac59
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    Mar 25th 2014, 11:28 AM

    In all the discussion that have taken place I have not heard the importance and workers praised and lauded.

    Capital and businessmen without workers would have got nowhere.

    Time for workers to be acknowledged and not exploited and regarded as a disposable commodity.

    All the money in banks and business ideas are turned into money by workers . The idea aself-made man is self-made is a fraud. His workers are his greatest resource.

    3
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    Mute Dermot O'Reilly
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    Mar 25th 2014, 2:11 PM

    New legislation needs to INTRODUCED to provide that ALL Companies will in future pay Corporation Tax at a rate of 12.5 per cent of Certified Trading Profits per the Financial Accounts?

    3
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    Mute John Corcoran
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    Apr 5th 2014, 9:21 AM

    In defense of this government,they have at all times been consistent and they can never be accused of telling the truth;
    tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4NP4oXQp3o

    1
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