Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

While I am totally opposed to this measure, the least the Minister could do is to carry out a review of it. However, I am against it, which puts to bed the Minister's idea that I have been corrupted and do not wish to say things that are unpopular in Dún Laoghaire, because lots of high earners live there. However, they should not get exemptions from this high earners' restriction. Regardless of whether they live in Dún Laoghaire or anywhere else, high earners do not pay enough taxes as matters stand and should not be given more tax breaks. I do not accept there is a need to give such people more tax breaks to get investment going. There are other ways in which to do this and one should not be obliged to give more tax breaks to those who already have a lot to convince them to do some good for society and the economy. I do not accept the rationale behind it.

While the Minister might not agree with me in this regard, the amendment tabled by Deputy Pearse Doherty proposes there at least should be a proper analysis of the measure. It could easily be the case - I suspect it probably will - that some higher earners will benefit from it but that it will not have any great benefit for the economy. Consequently, while I disagree with the entire principle, if the Minister is putting forward this proposal as a measure to encourage investment, he at least should be able to put forward some evidence that it will produce a positive economic effect. Otherwise, it is simply another tax break for the rich and we have had enough of those. We need some relief for the ordinary people who are being hammered and not more tax breaks for the rich.