Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus a chomhghleacaithe ón Roinn Airgeadais chuig an choiste.

Section 2 deals with universal social charge, USC, and changes to the universal social charge. As we know, there are only really two measures relating to the income tax package that is in this Bill. One is a small measure, which relates to the universal social charge and which reflects the increase in the minimum wage. The other measure is a huge tax provision relating to the special assignee relief programme, SARP. Those who earn above €125,000 can receive over €100,000 of a tax reduction. Those are the only two income tax proposals in this legislation.

We have dealt with finance bills over the years and have had different approaches in relation to taxation. However, the Minister has always made the case that the income tax bands needed to be adjusted to reflect rising wage pressures. I want to put it to him at the start of consideration of this Finance Bill, when we deal with this issue, that this is a Bill which leaves workers worse off than they were last year and that has been reflected right across the State in terms of their anger at what the Government has brought forward with the €9.4 billion package that actually leaves workers worse off.

Does the Minister still believe that not adjusting income tax is the equivalent, if he is really honest, of raising taxes?