Greens call for review of tax-relief system

The Green Party has called on the Government to overhaul the tax relief system in the upcoming budget.

The Greens are also calling for increased emphasis on the renewable energy sector.

In its pre-Budget submission, the party claims its proposals would create a more equitable and efficient system of taxation.

The Greens are calling on Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to introduce stringent measures for assessing and reviewing all tax expenditures, "taking account of their full economic, social and environmental costs and benefits".

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said the pre-budget statement and position paper on the State's tax strategy were "aimed at reducing inequality, encouraging innovation, creating jobs and delivering a secure supply of energy".

Finance spokesman Dan Boyle they were also seeking the introduction of a maximum limit for tax relief. "This would cap the cumulative amount of relief available across all tax relief schemes for high-earners," he said. He also wants Mr Cowen to review tax-residency rules.

Other demands included in the submission include increases in social welfare payments and pensions of €16 a week; increased child support payments and tax incentives to develop childcare infrastructure; the introduction of a Cost of Disability payment and an end to means testing for carers.

The Greens are also calling for increased emphasis on the renewable energy sector. "The limited nature of support mechanisms put in place for the industry betrays this Government's lack of vision and ambition for this sector, which has huge potential," enterprise spokesman Eamon Ryan said.

He called for duty on biofuels to be removed and a restructuring of Vehicle Registration Tax to encourage the use of energy-efficient vehicles.