That idea has been turned on its head by the economic realities of existing Member States - also by the performances of other Member States, such as in my own country in particular - Ireland, where an aggressive reduction in taxation policy, reducing the cost of labour and the income tax levy and ensuring that business can survive in a harmonious industrial relations environment with the majority of the earnings that the workers are getting going into their pocket and not going into taxation; while at the same time, increasing the levels of protection that are available for those who are most vulnerable within our society and increasing investments in education and health.
Denne idé er blevet modsagt af den økonomiske virkelighed i de nuværende medlemsstater - og også af andre medlemsstaters præstationer såsom bl.a. mit eget land - Irland, hvor en aggressiv nedsættelse af skatterne, der nedbringer arbejdsomkostningerne og indkomstskatteopkrævningen og sikrer, at erhvervslivet kan overleve i et miljø med harmoniske arbejdsmarkedsforhold, og hvor hovedparten af arbejdstagernes indtjening går i deres egne lommer og ikke til skatter, og samtidig øges de beskyttelsesniveauer, der er til rådighed for de mest sårbare i vores samfund, og investeringerne i uddannelse og sundhed øges.