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RTÉ News
23-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
ICTU calls proposed VAT cut 'economic vandalism'
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has urged the Government to drop proposals for a €1bn cut in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector, calling it "economic vandalism". Following the publication of the Summer Economic Statement yesterday, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said that the cost of the VAT cut would be almost €1bn, using the majority of the €1.5bn identified for tax measures. "The proposal to cut the VAT rate at a time of huge economic uncertainty flies in the face of all available evidence, and would amount to nothing less than economic vandalism," said General Secretary of ICTU Owen Reidy. "Hospitality is a sector rife with low paid employment and poor conditions, and all evidence suggests that the reduction in VAT will not be passed on to consumers or staff, but pocketed by employers," Mr Reidy said. SIPTU said private sector workers have been short-changed by a Government which has broken commitments on pensions, increased sick days and measures to offset the cost of living crisis while announcing tax breaks for business. "This morning on national radio, the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, stated that there was a prior commitment to the hospitality sector on a VAT reduction," said SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Greg Ennis. "However, what about the Government's prior commitments to workers with regard to increasing statutory occupational sick pay from five to seven days in 2025, progression towards a living wage in 2026, which has now been shelved until at least 2029, and the abolition of sub-minimum wages for young workers," Mr Ennis said.
The Journal
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions wants the government to move away from corporation tax
THE IRISH CONGRESS of Trade Unions has called on the Government to end the 'over-dependence' on corporation tax receipts ahead of the today's National Economic Dialogue. The National Economic Dialogue is taking place at Dublin Castle this morning. The congress (ICTU), which represents over 800,000 workers across Ireland, said that the country's current economic model is 'unsustainable' and called on the Government to use Budget 2026 to put the economy on a 'firmer footing'. Last week, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council echoed similar sentiments. Launching its Fiscal Assessment Report, the Council's chair warned of the current volatility of Ireland's longtime reliance on corporation tax as uncertainty arises from mooted tariffs from the US and further trade tensions. The ICTU urged Cabinet to build a new economic model that can deliver 'good jobs, improved living standards, and sustained growth'. Advertisement Its General Secretary Owen Reidy said that the government needs to end its reliance on the 'sugar rush' of corporation tax windfalls and start serious planning for the longer term. Corporation tax is likely to be higher than forecast over the rest of the year, IFAC's latest report found. This has been put down to BEPS reforms that mean groups with a turnover of over €750m will pay a 15% minimum rate of tax in every jurisdiction in which they operate. However, there is further uncertainty regarding the future of multinationals in Ireland. The IFAC has been unable to construct a medium-term forecast due to the department's failure to turn over spending profiles, as well as the government's refusal to commit to a fiscal rule, its chair Seamus Coffey told reporters last week. He said that this highlights that there is no medium-term plan or strategy apparent. Reidy today said that Ireland is facing 'significant wage inequality' alongside 'major infrastructure deficits'. 'Budget 2026 must mark a turning point by giving certainty and security to workers across Ireland. That means good jobs that pay well, a decent standard of living, as well as stronger public services. But it should also mean a shift in our economic model. 'In the coming weeks, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will be setting out how we believe that can be achieved through a New Economic Model, and today at the National Economic Dialogue we will be bringing that message to Ministers,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Government needs to act to address ‘sugar rush' of corporation taxes, says Ictu
The Government should use this year's budget to invest more in major infrastructure and research so as to create a broader economic base and lessen dependency on revenue from a handful of multinational companies, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has said. Speaking ahead of the National Economic Dialogue, an annual event taking place at Dublin Castle on Monday, Ictu general secretary Owen Reidy said the Government needed to act in order to end the State's reliance on the 'sugar rush' currently provided by corporation tax . While the economy was clearly doing well on the face of it, Mr Reidy said: 'We know that headline figures don't tell the full story of the Irish economy. 'We have an over-reliance on a handful of firms for corporation tax, significant wage inequality and major infrastructure deficits across housing, healthcare and transport. READ MORE ' Budget 2026 must mark a turning point by giving certainty and security to workers across Ireland. That means good jobs that pay well, a decent standard of living, as well as stronger public services. But it should also mean a shift in our economic model.' Mr Reidy said Ictu would be publishing submissions in the coming weeks outlining how it feels the Government should address the issues involved and 'start serious planning for the longer term'. Figures published in January indicated the amount of money paid in corporation tax to the State increased by 18 per cent last year to €28 billion. This excluded the €11 billion windfall arising from the Apple tax case. In contrast, some €35 billion was generated in income tax last year with €21.8 billion coming via VAT receipts and €6.3 billion from excise duties. This means corporation taxes accounted for about a quarter of all Government revenue last year. While the corporation tax take is expected to increase further this year, there have been repeated warnings about State finances being overly reliant on it. Speaking ahead of Monday's conference, which will be attended by representative bodies from across the economy and addressed by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and senior Ministers, Mr Reidy said: 'We'll be urging Government to create genuine economic certainty by investing in infrastructure and research, strengthening workplace democracy, reducing inequality and ending the fiscal gimmickry of the past.' He said action was needed given the current economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, Ictu has been arguing in recent months for a long list of changes to employment regulation as part of an action plan the Government is required to publish in relation to the European Union Directive on Adequate Minimum wages, which the unions hope will pave the way for far wider collective bargaining.
Irish Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Unions call on workers to pause for ‘reflection' on child deaths in Gaza
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has called on workers to participate in a 'moment of respectful reflection' at 1.05pm on Wednesday in solidarity with the victims of the conflict in Gaza and has expressed the hope that employers will respect their staff's desire to participate. The event has been timed to coincide with the International UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, the organisation says. The Taoiseach has said that UN agencies should be "enabled and allowed" to distribute food aid in Gaza amid ongoing deaths at aid centres. Video: Bryan O'Brien 'Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel's assault on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 15,000 children and injuries to 34,000 others,' said Ictu in a statement. The event, it said, would serve 'as a simple act of solidarity and remembrance for the loss of life over the past 18 months'. READ MORE Ictu general secretary Owen Reidy said the event is in response to calls from union members to mark the 'devastating impact on the people of Gaza, particularly the children who have suffered so greatly'. Announcing the initiative last week, he said, 'union members, like much of the Irish public, have been appalled by Israel's wanton violations of international law'. Congress said the event is not intended to be regarded as a work stoppage and has asked members and other workers to co-ordinate with their employers wherever possible. Mr Reidy said there had been a positive response to the move since it was announced last week and the organisation is expecting tens of thousands of members to participate. [ UN demands investigation as at least 27 Palestinians are killed near Gaza aid site Opens in new window ] More than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military action in response to the cross-border attack by Hamas; an assault that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, according to Israel. More 4,000 Palestinians have died since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18th, according to the territory's health ministry.
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Workers to observe nationwide moment of reflection for Gaza
Workers across Ireland are expected to participate in a moment of reflection at lunchtime today amid the going violence in Gaza. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has asked that at 1:05pm, participating workers mark a moment of respectful reflection, as a simple act of solidarity and remembrance for the loss of life over the past eighteen months. Today is the International UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. "As the appalling violence in Gaza continues, our members asked that the trade union movement lead in reflecting on this terrible loss of life," said ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy. "Since announcing the moment of reflection last week, we have been heartened by the response from the 800,000 union members across the island." "The UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on these tragic events and their devastating impact on the people of Gaza, particularly the children who have suffered so greatly," Mr Reidy said. Workers who wish to participate are encouraged to observe the moment of reflection respectfully, whether in their workplace, at home, or wherever they may be. ICTU said the moment of reflection is not a work stoppage, and is encouraging participating workers to coordinate with their employers where possible. SIPTU staff and members will stage a solidarity action at 1.05pm, on Butt Bridge in Dublin across from the 'Ceasefire Now' banner on the side of Liberty Hall.
