Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I can only assume that – this is for the good of the audience and so forth – in real terms, the Minister is correct to say that this is a well-balanced budget and its taxation package is a good and progressive one. There is a cap on it, with anyone earning over €70,000 not gaining anything at all under the proposal.

People who are on €50,000 or €55,000 are burdened by taxation. A number of them have brought this matter to our attention many times over the years. It is not fair to assume that they should carry more of the burden, particularly as the Minister has outlined that they already carry a sizable proportion of that burden and are at breaking point. Something had to give. Something had to take account of the efforts they were making. This does not in any way reduce the importance of the case that Deputy Doherty is making, but in the overall appraisal of the situation, the Minister is correct. The proposal is well placed and rounded off. It should not be taken in isolation, nor can it be.

Deputy Doherty is a nice guy, but do not try to pull that one on us.