Speaking in full pre-election mode, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has pledged substantial tax cuts to bring Ireland’s ripped off taxpayers in line with low-tax countries, such as the US and Britain.
Recent figures released show that US workers on €75,000 pay just under €10,000 less tax than workers here. Employees on similar wage packets in the UK take home an extra €6,000.
However, the Taoiseach’s proposal will be on a direct collision course with Joan Burton’s idea of imposing a higher tax burden on those who earn the most.
The Labour leader recently insisted on her pledge to cut the Universal Social Charge (USC) for workers earning up to €70,000.
The Taoiseach’s goal is to compete with low-tax countries to bring home a large number of emigrants.