Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I oppose this section. As Deputy Pearse Doherty outlined, it is a really blatant pro-super rich policy by the Government to hand over the money in the form of a tax break to some of the highest earners in society. Those affected will not have to pay up to €130,000 in tax next year, a sum they would have had to pay prior to the budget. The money could have been spent on many things that we need in our society. It could have been spent on public transport, healthcare services, education services or housing, but instead the Government is making a political choice to give it to people who already earn €1 million gross per year. The Minister says we have a great, progressive tax system, but that can only be claimed in looking through a very narrow lens at income tax revenue. How can he justify this tax giveaway or tax expenditure for those who are earning huge amounts of money? What have they done to deserve it? Why do they deserve it more than low paid workers who are still paying USC or those who are awaiting treatment in the health system? Why do they deserve it more than those whose children with special needs are awaiting appropriate services and care? It is disgustingt is a political choice made by the Government to benefit the very highest earners, but there is simply no justification for it and it is scandalous that Fianna Fáil is going along with it.