John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I imagine there is a more detailed analysis than we have seen but I accept many of the points the report makes. I disagree with Deputy O'Reilly on the subject of primary care and help outside the hospital system, which is way below the European average. It is also hugely expensive and out of the reach of people who can otherwise go to an accident and emergency unit. It means very little to people who do not have private health insurance.

The report calls for an increase in taxation. Has there been any analysis on whether we should tackle tax avoidance or corporate tax, or impose a financial transaction tax or a tax on profits? The report is unclear on how we should reform the tax system. Everybody wants the tax system reformed but we are between 10% and 12% below the European average and the question remains of how we bring in a fair tax.

Low pay is a huge problem and, according to statistics, 167,000 people are on very low income, namely, the minimum wage or slightly above. Has the network considered a living wage rather than a minimum wage? I know Social Justice Ireland has spoken on that subject. Child care is still the most expensive in the European Union and we have done very little on child care in successive budgets. Has a more detailed analysis been done on this and the other subjects to which I have referred?