Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When was the last time somebody walked up to the Minister and said what happened in the budget had increased their net take-home pay by 2%? Nobody does that. The reality is they look at how much better off they are next year for tax purposes than this year. Those on €30,000 will be about €292 better off; higher income earners will be €900 better off. The median income in this State is €33,000. The tax package, though the Minister does not want to utter these words, undoubtedly favours those on higher incomes over those on middle incomes. The Minister can dress it up in percentage terms but in terms of cash in people’s pockets, the Minister gives far more to higher income households and workers than to people on average incomes. Is that not an indisputable fact? The Minister is presenting this budget and should accept that fact. It is his policy and what he is asking us to vote for. Why does he not just accept it?