Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Healy and Mr. McDonnell to the meeting. I would like to make one brief observation. The essence of our non-contributory pension is its universality. In comparative terms across the European Union, in particular the eurozone area, it is quite generous.

Like Deputy Dooley, I am not convinced by the site valuation tax model. Perhaps Mr. McDonnell will respond to following matter, which goes to the core of social justice. It has been suggested that people in social housing would be exempt from whatever type of property tax is introduced. I am aware, as I am sure are other members, of areas where there is a mix of private and social housing. In many cases the people in social housing who have far more disposable income than those in private housing who are faced with paying mortgages and so on. Perhaps Mr. McDonnell will say how he arrived at the rationale for an exemption for such a large block of housing in the State, namely, the social housing block.