Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt there has been an unfairness in economic policy. Regardless of budget, austerity or recession, the lives of some people in society do not change one iota, while those in the low and middle income groups suffer disproportionately. We are told we are in recovery, and we have various statistics to show this, but it is not filtering down through society. Economic policy has dominated the political agenda and I suggest this is at the expense of social policy. If social policy is ignored, it contributes to economic inequality. Various think tanks have shown us we have very unacceptable levels of economic inequality. I was struck by a recent newspaper survey which stated the 250 richest people in Ireland are worth €50 billion.

I wonder what contribution they have been making to our recovery when so many of them have become non-resident for the purpose of tax avoidance and others have found other methods in order to avoid paying those taxes. We know the social consequences of that economic policy, including emigration, the housing crisis, homelessness and what is happening in our communities as pointed out recently by Br. Kevin Crowley from the Capuchin day centre. We have communities and groups that are struggling as we approach the budget season. What are the values that will determine the decisions to be made at budget time?

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