Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am explaining where the burden of taxation resides. I am making the point that while it would do something, it would not do a whole lot to help the people in question. The suggestion that married couples with one earner are being ignored is not correct. By the same token, there was not a move on the rate of €770 since it was introduced in 2000. The issue was discussed in the debate on the last budget when Opposition parties suggested they would move to a greater extent than I was prepared to move in the tax package I announced in our manifesto, simply to double the home carer credit during the course of our Administration. From memory, I think the Opposition was going to increase it to €1,760. I may be wrong but that is my recollection seven or eight months later. Those points are relevant. I am moving on the issue, having begun a process which is not a panacea but a recognition that we should move beyond the €770 mark. That figure was devised by the former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, in an effort to rebalance a suggestion he was neglecting married couples with one earner.

I do not know if there is much point in replying to Deputy Morgan's suggestion that I am bereft of a social conscience. It is great to see people trying to persuade me that I should have one but I stand over the policies achieved and implemented by Fianna Fáil in government. Deputy Morgan has a good record of agitation, while we have a far better record of achievement, a major distinguishing feature between him and me. On the Opposition benches he has the luxury of being able to ask for whatever he likes since he will never have the responsibility of doing anything about it.

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