Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is a historic day, of which we should all be very proud. I am reminded, in particular, of the late Sam McAughtry who died approximately ten days ago. I am not sure if we will have an opportunity to pay tribute to him but he was a Member of this House. I was here when he joined us in 1996 and spoke so strongly. He described himself as a hybrid Unionist and stated that "I am happy to live in the United Kingdom but I am happier still to be Irish and to proclaim my Irishness". In the time he spent in this House, he showed his energy and enthusiasm.

He died at 91 years of age. I kept in touch with him for some time after he left the House. He left school at 14 years of age and he represented that Northern Protestant voice that we do not hear too often. He had no further education after leaving school at 14 years of age but ended up writing ten books which succeeded very well. It was his energy that created the peace train about which are perhaps inclined to forget.

The organisation that he established helped to maintain the railway line from Dublin to Belfast, which was often damaged by IRA activities. Today is an occasion that he would have been very proud of. I am sure he was very proud that it was coming. We should be very proud of it as well.

I wish to follow up on Senator Healy Eames's point about high rates of taxation. I discovered this week that Ireland has the highest rate of inheritance tax in Europe. It is almost the highest rate in the world. Our inheritance tax rate is six times that of Italy and double that of Germany. I mention this not to show great sympathy for people who die with a lot of money and whose children have to pay inheritance tax, but because I am concerned that it inhibits investment. When the rate was reduced approximately 15 years ago, it created more investment. There had been an unfair imbalance in investment in industry between Britain and Ireland, but the Government reduced our rate over some years and thereby created a large number of investments. Our rate is six times that of Italy, twice that of Germany and above the European average. I read in a newspaper recently that Ireland has the highest death taxes in the world. On that basis, we should have a debate at some point on taxes in general. I refer not only to the taxes mentioned by Senator Healy Eames but also to inheritance tax.