Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dismissed a proposal by Cabinet colleague Mary Mitchell O’Connor for a 30 per cent tax rate for returning emigrant graduates.

The so-called emigrants’ tax was to be aimed at those earning more than €75,000 in specialist jobs in areas such as medicine, science, IT and finance would see those eligible paying the rate of just 30 per cent.

Mr Kenny was replying in the Dáil on Wednesday to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who asked if he accepted the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation’s proposal, was “unfair and discriminatory’’.

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Source: www.irishtimes.com

Five rural Independent TDs are to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other members of the Fine Gael negotiating team this morning to intensify discussions on a possible Programme for Government.  

The five - Michael Collins, Noel Grealish, Michael Harty, Mattie McGrath and Denis Naughten - are to hold the meeting at 10am. 

In a statement, the group said its intention was to ensure any agreement was as inclusive as possible with a view to producing a "Political Partnership Agreement".

Last night the group said that following discussions over the past 12 days with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, they believed that Fine Gael was seriously determined to form a government.

The group said that as Fine Gael is in the driving seat, with eight extra Dáil votes, the group is now prepared to actively engage on a Programme for Government. Read More