Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Reprieve for government as Finance Bill scrapes through

The government bags a crucial victory on the Finance Bill after independents offer support in exchange for big amendments.

FIANNA FÁIL has been handed a crucial reprieve by the Dáil’s independent TDs, after they voted in favour of the Finance Bill to ensure its progress in the Dáil this lunchtime.

After voting to reject a number of opposition amendments to the Bill – which gives permanent legal status to the proposals brought in under the Budget last month – the Dáil voted to approve the Bill, and separately to defeat proposed opposition amendments, by 80 votes to 77.

Independents Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae were among those supporting the Bill; their support had been earned after Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan gave last-minute guarantees that he would propose a sequence of amendments in the Dáil today and tomorrow.

Among those amendments are the withdrawal of the government’s plan to bring forward the deadline for tax returns from the self-employed, and a guarantee that parents paying college fees for more than one child can have the secondary fees taken off their tax bill.

Mattie McGrath, however, abstained on the Bill, having voted with the opposition on earlier amendments.

In a statement issued shortly before the voting began, Lowry said the government had already conceded to his request that medical card holders be exempt from the new Universal Social Charge.

The most prominent amendment, however, is the concession from the government that it will rush through an amendment imposing a 90 per cent tax on bonuses paid to the staff of banks covered under the government’s blanket guarantee.

Lowry commented that it was “appalling and unacceptable” that the tax had not appeared in the Bill’s original draft, but laid the blame for the omission at the feet of the opposition parties.

Two Government TDs – Dermot Ahern and Noel Treacy – were paired for the vote; they were paired by Fine Gael’s Padraic McCormack and Michael Creed.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
3 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds