Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

No, it would not guarantee that. If I accepted Deputy Burton's amendment, it would take 460,000 out of the tax bracket right across the board at all levels of income. One has a choice, and I will stand over my choices which I believe met with a fair degree of approval. I was very gratified with the level of approval they received. We may argue about them here today and people may vote for and against them, but I am explaining the thinking behind what I am doing.

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