Revenue chairman Frank Daly is to chair the new Commission on Taxation which is being established by Finance Minister Brian Cowen.
The commission, promised in the Programme for Government, will review the 'structure, efficiency and appropriateness' of the whole tax system. It is due to report by September 2009.
The terms of reference set by the Minister oblige the commission to have regard to Government commitments, including keeping the overall tax burden low, guaranteeing the 12.5% rate of corporation tax and introducing measures such as a carbon levy to reduce carbon emissions.
The commission is being asked to look specifically at how the tax system can encourage savings, the balance between taxes on income, capital and spending, and options for financing local government. It will also investigate measures 'to protect and enhance the environment' including a carbon tax.
The commission's membership includes representatives from business, unions, farming and voluntary groups as well as tax and economic experts. The members are:
Chairperson Frank Daly
Membership Tom Arnold, CEO, Concern
Julie Burke, JMB Tax Solicitors
Micheál Collins, Department of Economics, Trinity College
Frank Convery, Heritage Trust Professor of Environmental Policy
Tom Donohoe, Partner, Russell Brennan Keane Chartered Accountants
Eoin Fahy, KBC Asset Management
Brendan Hayes, Vice President, SIPTU
Sinead Leech, Director, Integral Finance and Technology Ltd
Con Lucey, former IFA chief economist
Colin Hunt, Division Director, Macquarie Capital Group
Danny McCoy, Director, IBEC
Fergal O’Rourke, Partner, PWC
Mary O’Sullivan, Irish Bankers Federation
Mark Redmond, CEO, Irish Taxation Institute
Willie Soffe, Chairman, Dublin Transportation Office
Deirdre Somers, CEO, Irish Stock Exchange
Mary Walshe, Chartered Accountant
