Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-03-07-Speech-1-032-000"
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"en.20110307.17.1-032-000"2
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"Mr President, why are we discussing innovative financing? Have we gone tax mad all of a sudden? Of course not!
As you know, we must rebuild public finances on sustainable foundations. This, of course, means responsible spending, but it also means generating revenue in a fair, efficient and sustainable way and, as you know, the tax systems which are currently in place in Europe do not meet these criteria. These systems do not guarantee the resources that governments require in order to fulfil their public service duties – teaching, research and social cohesion are areas which come to mind. They have failed to stem the increasing inequalities across Europe and they continue to encourage activities which are harmful to both the environment and social cohesion.
Whether it be a question of taxing the financial industry, obtaining a fair contribution from large companies, implementing a climate-energy tax or tackling tax evasion and avoidance effectively, only a Europe-wide approach, as you know, will enable us to implement effective solutions. Individual efforts by Member States are no longer effective. We are tired of hearing that all of this is impossible and that we need unanimity. What do you expect? It is too complex.
Without taking common action, no European Union Member State will be in a position to restore sustainable public finances 10 years from now. When it comes to economic governance – because that is what this is also about – the current proposal is to say to Member States: ‘Cut off your expenditure arm while tying your revenue arm behind your back’. That is what is being referred to as a competitiveness pact. I would very much like to see how you fight with one arm cut off and the other tied up.
I think that Mrs Podimata’s report opens up avenues which will indeed help to provide answers to the tax issue, and I therefore hope that it will be adopted by this House."@en1
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