Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Does it extend it out? Do the deputations believe it is an equal way of taking in tax?

Perhaps I picked up another point incorrectly. Is VAT considered from the point of view of tax in respect of those on higher incomes? I read some commentary from Michael Taft. He suggested that when we take all the other taxes into account, the wealthy benefit more than the poor. I accept the fact that there is no crock of gold anywhere. However, people want to see a progressive taxation system under which those who have more wealth pay more. Last year, the assets of the wealthiest in society - the top 10% - grew by €6.5 billion, which brought the figure to over €60 billion worth of assets. This includes boats and portraits and so on. We are awaiting the figures for this year. The Irish Independentusually does it every year. Anyway, this vast wealth is not being taxed or tackled in any shape or form. What if there was a 1% tax on all of that? What would that bring to an economy that could utilise that money in a way that would benefit society? These are the questions we should be asking.