IBEC links tax issue to public pay talks

Recent revelations about the Ansbacher deposits, while being extremely serious should not be used as a justification for current pay claims in the Public Sector, according to IBEC

The director General of IBEC, Mr John Dunne, yesterday said that IBEC reiterated the need for compliance by all taxpayers in the economy, without exception. "It is unacceptable that any individuals within our society should be allowed to evade their responsibilities. There have been some attempts to use these disclosures to justify a number of current pay claims in the Public Sector. No such justification exists."

Mr Dunne said that allowing current problems with tax evasion to undermine the appropriate policy mix now needed - including adherence to nationally agreed pay agreements in the Public Sector - risked undermining the significant economic and social progress the country has made in recent years.