John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It could only happen in Ireland that people would promote a measure they oppose and oppose a measure they favour. It is unbelievable. All afternoon we have discussed the budget which has been called unfair and regressive because we are required to reduce the provision of services. Within the hour, the same people who were promoting an increase in tax are now opposed to it. It is populism at its worst.

It makes a mockery of the House and our democracy that people would find themselves in these positions. People are quoting selectively from reports to support their positions. Senator Barrett mentioned the IMF report which said this is a high taxation country. As it does not suit a particular agenda to acknowledge that, a different report is used selectively. We need balance and sense in what we do and say. This is one of the most progressive countries in its taxation system in the entire world, but we ignore it. This is a high tax, progressive tax State. I am bamboozled by the lack of logical and coherent thinking in the economic sphere by certain parties in the Houses.