Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In 1997, those earning at or under a far lower average industrial wage paid more than 14% of all income tax. This shows that through the Government's policies, we are now seeing high earners paying not alone a significant amount of tax but also a significant total of overall tax revenue. This shows the effectiveness of the Minister's policy.

If the Deputy has anything to say about breaches by the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, of the Ethics in Public Office Act, which was introduced ten years ago, I suggest he should talk to Mr. Justice Smith, because he is the appropriate officer.

See this speech in context