The Statement points out that:

•TASC estimates that tax breaks will cost the Government €7.4 billion in 2009
•The Irish tax system provides more tax breaks than other EU members
•Tax breaks disproportionately benefit the better-off, and therefore reinforce economic inequality

TASC recommends that:

•A one-year ‘sunset clause’ (automatic expiry) be attached to all tax breaks
•Tax breaks only be introduced or, in the case of existing tax breaks, continued beyond the sunset clause, if they satisfy an equality and economic efficiency   audit presented to the Oireachtas

TASC’s Pre-Budget Statement is available for download here.