AS PART of its coverage of the budget, Irishtimes.com asked readers whether they would be happy to pay higher tax to help the economic recovery. Of those polled, 52 per cent said No, while 48 per cent voted Yes. Below is a sample of the responses received.
"No way, I am down €40 a week after the pension levy [pay cut], as is my wife. To tell the truth, we are finding it hard to make ends meet, with a high mortgage and childcare costs. I think more taxes will just suck money out of the economy and ruin small business in the service and catering industry." – Bosco, Ireland
"No more taxes. The issue is unsustainable growth in the public sector. If Cowen & Co can't cut the fat, bring on the IMF/ECB to direct where the axe falls. I expect to be out of work this year, social solidarity and national wage agreements are irrelevant to me." – Pat, Ireland
"Nobody enjoys paying taxes. But if, as a citizen, you get something decent in return, such as health, good transport, good national schools and social security relative to what you were paying in PRSI . . . then you might just pay that heavy European style tax and be philosophical about the whole system." – Oscar, France
"Higher taxes and other sources of new income may be necessary in the short term. Yet substantial systemic changes to avoid duplication/waste and deal with underlying reasons are required thereafter. More transparency and responsibility as well as streamlined processes may do the trick." – Iris, Ireland
"It doesn't matter whether we're happy to pay higher taxes or not, we'll just have to accept them. What I would like to see is a fairer distribution of taxes. Middle income earners pay the the bulk of tax in this country, so perhaps in these difficult times, low income workers should make a contribution." – Marty, Ireland
"I'll happily pay more tax after the Government slashes the ridiculously high wages of all public servants and makes them pay for their own pensions like everyone in the private sector." – Richard, Ireland
For detailed news and analysis of the budget, visit www.irishtimes.com/budget
