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E-mailThere has been much talk in recent days about the Irish government proposing new taxes – property taxes, water charges etc. It is right that these things are rigorously debated in public before they are implemented.
However, the Treaty of Lisbon gives the EU power to impose taxes to raise money (art 311). Given that Ireland is now set to become a net contributor to the EU before 2013, is this a dangerous power to give over to the EU just as we undergo recession? What percentage of tax will they be able to impose: 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%? There is no stated limit in Lisbon. Nor can we democratically change all the personel in the EU institutions if we are unhappy with their decisions. I certainly think this fact will engender much debate among the highly pressured taxpayers. This needs a good public airing before it is voted on and possibly implemented.
Brian McDermott
The Saltings,
Annagassan,
Dundalk,
Co Louth
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With respect, Art 311 provides that the the EU budget shall be financed by its own resources. This is not new.
As regards resourcing the Union, this must decided unanimously by the Council after consulting the the European Parliament. This means that an Irish Minister must vote in favour of any measure and our elected representatives in the European Parliament must be consulted. Those 'lads over in Brussels' are our elected representatives and we can change them if they are not acting in our interests.