Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I brought SARP into the discussion to help to explain that there would be a legitimate expectation on the part of PAYE workers if they knew what Minister has done. I will say it to his face that he is making decisions that will benefit the elite; I would not say it behind his back if I was not willing to say it to his face. Of course, that is what happening with section 8 of the Bill. It will benefit the elite. In some cases the people in question are multimillionaires. That is my view, but the Minister has a different version, which is that it is being done for a wider and more noble cause as he outlined to the committee. Whether there is that expectation, PAYE workers could legitimately ask why somebody availing of the SARP can have 30% of income excluded from taxation when they cannot do so, despite bursting their backsides in working on a factory floor and paying €1,700 per month to try to keep a roof over their heads. It could be a legitimate expectation. I am trying to counter the Minister's point and, regardless of the expectation, there is no requirement for us to legislate for it. It was mentioned that this would cost €2 billion, but it would not as refundable tax credits would not be introduced across the board. There is a crisis in housing provision and did we all not sign up to the idea that there was a housing emergency? If there is such an emergency, we must act in a way that reflects it. There was no such emergency ten years ago when rents were lower and there was rent relief provided. I am arguing that this should be introduced on a temporary basis, to be joined by the two other prongs of a rent freeze and a significant increase in capital investment to increase capacity in the system. Even if rents were to stay as they are, they are not affordable. The costs the State is asking families to bear every month are mad. I will leave it at that.