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  • €70m in tax breaks for R&D expenditure

    07/12/2006: ResearchThere will be total tax breaks of €70 million a year available to companies which boost research and development (R&D) spending.

  • Bio-energy earns fresh support

    07/12/2006: Energy policyMinister for Finance Brian Cowen said better energy efficiency and demand management initiatives will pay significant dividends for business.

  • Raising of BES limit welcomed

    07/12/2006: Business expansionThe decision to extend the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) and the Seed Capital Scheme and the increase of the ceilings that apply to them, was broadly welcomed yesterday by business groups.

  • All quiet on business front from tax perspective

    07/12/2006: CommentMaybe Brian Cowen felt it was a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it, writes Colm Kelly.

  • Tax payment and other administration eased for small firms

    07/12/2006: Red tapeSmall business will benefit to the tune of €53 million a year from Budget 2007 measures designed to cut red tape and streamline tax compliance.

  • Ahern says increase in price of cigarettes a health issue

    07/12/2006: Financial relations debateThe 50 cent increase in the cost of 20 cigarettes was a health issue, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil last night.

  • PDs will look for another 1% cut in 2008

    07/12/2006: McDowell reactionTánaiste Michael McDowell insisted last night that the Progressive Democrats were not disappointed with the 1 per cent cut in the top tax rate announced in the Budget, but said the party has been given a firm commitment for another 1 per cent cut in budget 2008 if they are back in government with Fianna Fáil.

  • Cowen to cut top rate of tax by further 1% in 2007

    07/12/2006:Minister for Finance Brian Cowen confirmed last night he had agreed with the Progressive Democrats to reduce the top tax rate by another 1 per cent next year if they get back into Government and if the current economic circumstances prevail.

  • Interest rate rise will wipe out any gain, says Bruton

    07/12/2006: Opposition reaction:The benefit of the mortgage interest relief will disappear today, Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton claimed, write Michael O'Regan and Marie O'Halloran.

  • Monthly benefit for all children up €10

    07/12/2006: Childcare:Child benefit will increase by €10 a month for all children from next April, bringing the payment up to €160 a month.

  • FG wrong about stealth tax accusation

    07/12/2006: Stealth taxes:The charge betrays a misunderstanding about the term, writes Marc Coleman , Economics Editor

  • Rise in mortgage relief gets mixed reaction

    07/12/2006: First-time buyers:Prospective first-time buyers gave a mixed reaction to the measures in the Budget aimed at helping them buy a home, writes John Downes.

  • Budget to increase pension, welfare payments

    06/12/2006:A substantial increase in pension and welfare payments, a cut of 1 percentage point in the top rate of tax and the provision of extra mortgage interest relief for first-time home buyers are expected to be key features of the Budget, due to be unveiled today by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen.

  • Ease the transition from welfare to work

    06/12/2006:Significant measures are necessary to help people on social welfare return to the workforce, according to Natasha Dempsey.

  • Reform of stamp duty risky, warns economist

    05/12/2006:Reform of stamp duty in tomorrow's Budget would be dangerous, a leading economist has warned.

  • Cowen set to reject stamp duty reform demands

    04/12/2006:Minister for Finance Brian Cowen will reject demands for house stamp duty reform in Wednesday's Budget, though extra mortgage interest relief is to be offered to first-time buyers.

  • Voters want public services to be priority

    02/12/2006:The overwhelming majority of voters want Brian Cowen to give top priority in next Wednesday's budget to putting more money into public services such as health and education rather than income tax cuts, according to The Irish Times /TNS mrbi poll. yesterday.  

  • Spending to reflect huge Exchequer surplus - Ahern

    02/12/2006:The Government is ready to increase State spending next year beyond expectations following better-than-expected Exchequer figures, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern strongly hinted last night.  

  • Improved public services most important issue

    02/12/2006:The budget priorities of the voters, articulated in the Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll, appear to contain a clear message for Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and all the political parties in the Dail. Improved public services are by far and away the most important issue.  

  • Workers hold breath in hope of sizeable tax relief

    01/12/2006:Everyone has their own idea of what would constitute a generous Budget, from income tax cuts and tax credit hikes to a helping hand in the property market, writes Laura Slattery.

  • Old-age pension likely to increase to €208

    30/11/2006:An increase in the old-age pension to about €208 a week, a multi-million euro package for elderly care and a substantial increase in support for carers are to be unveiled in next Wednesday's Budget as part of a Government strategy aimed at attracting the "grey" vote in the general election.  

  • Tax bands for older people should be widened

    My Budget/pensioner:A substantial increase in the State pension is the key issue that Albert Connor wants to see addressed in Wednesday's Budget.  

  • OECD calls for Budget to dampen inflation

    29/11/2006:The Government should use the forthcoming Budget to dampen inflationary pressure in the economy, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) urged yesterday.  

  • Budget likely to improve childminder exemptions

    20/11/2006:Next month's Budget may contain improved tax exemptions aimed at the State's estimated 37,000 childminders, Minister for Children Brian Lenihan signalled yesterday.  

  • FF pledges on prosperity

    Fianna Fáil in Government will defend prosperity and deliver the country through any economic downturn, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said yesterday.  

  • PDs reject nuclear power

    A motion calling for the building of nuclear power plants in Ireland was defeated at the annual conference of the Young Progressive Democrats in Dublin at the weekend.  

  • Taoiseach rules out spending spree prior to election

    Taoiseach Bertie Ahern last night ruled out a Government spending splurge in the run-up to the general election, insisting excessive expenditure now would lead us back to "the bad old days of reckless budgetary management". Miriam Donohoe, Political Staff, reports.  
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