Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I apologise for coming in so late but the rules for Report Stage are slightly different in the Seanad so I am adjusting to them in the Dáil.

Like Deputy Burton, I am a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service. Indeed, I have the honour of being Vice Chairman of that committee. On that basis, I consider it my duty to be here during discussion of the Finance Bill on Report Stage. I did not come in here by arrangement with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance. I would like Deputy Burton to have a bit of respect for other Deputies in this House and acknowledge that, like her, they are here to discuss the issues.

In respect of the issue Deputy Burton raised, namely, the Government's regard for ordinary persons, the House needs to be reminded that over a period of several years, the lower and middle income earner has been and continues to be treated better by the tax code in this country than in any other EU country. That should be borne in mind as part of the context in which we are discussing this issue.

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