The Tánaiste says he wants to cut taxes for middle-income families once the economic recovery takes hold.

Eamon Gilmore says he wants those who were hit hardest during the recession should be the first to feel the benefits.

It is the first time a senior Cabinet minister has openly discussed the idea of reversing the tax hikes imposed in the recession.

Mr. Gilmore says now that the Troika are leaving Ireland, the government can begin to look at how it will manage the economy on its own two feet. He also says struggling families should be the first to feel the benefits of the recovery.

However he is warning that this will not come today or tomorrow, and that the economy still has some way to go before the govenrment can think about tax cuts.

But the Tanaiste says it is only fair to ease the burden on those who felt it most.