The head of the employers group IBEC says it's "nonsense" for politicians to say we shouldn't go back to the days of the Celtic Tiger.
Danny McCoy says the Government should relieve income tax rates in the next Budget in a bid to boost consumer spending and improve economic activity.
The Taoiseach has said it's a government priority to cut the income tax burden on middle-income workers.
Enda Kenny says the top tax rate in Ireland kicks in too early - and workers need to be given a chance to earn income without facing penal tax rates.
But his comments have been criticised as 'auction politics' ahead of the forthcoming local elections.
Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports:
