David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Independent Senators for tabling this important motion and welcome the representatives of all of the charities present. I am a realist and a pragmatist. I do not believe we will ever reach Utopia, but I do believe the State has abdicated its responsibilities in recent times in ensuring people have the required levels of protection and that some of the responsibility for the provision of services has landed on the shoulders of many charities which are under pressure. I would not have a difficulty with paying more tax if it was used to provide services for people who need them. I certainly believe many higher earners would not have such a difficulty either. I commend the Independent Senators for tabling the motion and hope we will not have a similar motion before us in a number of months time. I hope the Government will give a commitment to act and deliver on it.