Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

One does not pick out individuals because it suits. I have seen the Deputy do that previously. She picks out individuals and excoriates them, as if they are somehow pariahs simply because they have a certain wage rate.

We do this through proper taxation. Whether one's income is from the private sphere, shareholdings or the public purse, income should be regarded in the same way. We deal with the imbalance and social justice through a fair taxation system. That is my view and the view of my party, and that is what we will strive to do in this budget and into the future. It is a big challenge as my party does not have a majority. There is short-term popularity in identifying individuals and excoriating them, but that is a very dangerous road because we are heading towards a fundamental destruction of public service. More and more people are saying: "I would not go into the public sphere to be hauled before a committee and have my family discussed. I would have my fingers cut off." That is where we are going if we take this road.

There were three other issues. One is allowances and low pay. I argued trenchantly on this issue when there was much talk about allowances. I can read out some of the comments made by the Deputy about allowances.