Mr. Richard Keane:

Only today I learned that the French economist Thomas Piketty is coming to Ireland on 20 June. He has analysed the budgetary processes of 20 countries right back to the 18th century. He analysed the top 1% and the rest, because, as we know, in the last few years, "1%" has become a mantra about who owns what and who gets what in society. In Ireland we are often very reluctant to talk about who has power and status in society, who gets what, and who has strong supporters in political parties or the Government. I suggest examining that research. TASC, which is having a day with this economist on 20 June, has come out with some very good reports recently on where we are.

One of its first reports, which is probably ten years old at this stage, was on the golden circle in Irish society.