Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They pluck out of the air a figure that they received by submitting a parliamentary question. I presume they know that, once one interferes, there is a change. Nothing remains constant, as many of the Deputies across the way know. When there is change, projections go astray. Sadly, this has often happened.

I do not want to go into the story of the 10% of people who pay a considerable amount of the taxes collected in this country. I will congratulate the Minister for Social Protection and the Government on doing a job in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The hurt that has befallen the people grieves us all greatly. They have been patient, but if they are patient for a little while longer, their patience will reap deserving fruit.

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