Greens accuse McCreevy over film tax relief

The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, has been accused of double standards by the Green Party over his plans to phase out Section…

The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, has been accused of double standards by the Green Party over his plans to phase out Section 481 tax relief for film production.

The Greens' finance spokesman, Mr Dan Boyle TD said the proposals to end the film tax relief is in contrast with "his brazen side stepping on the issue of tax exemption for the thoroughbred horse breeding industry."

Mr Boyle said Section 481 had generated considerable revenue for the Irish economy. "It is difficult to see what logic Charlie McCreevy is using in insisting that the relief be ended," he said.

He added that his party will table a Dáil motion this week challenging the Government not only to maintain but to develop supports to film making and the Irish film industry.