Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have listened with respect to everybody. A number of points were made and I wish to reply to them in order to have an informed debate.

With regard to the fact that it applies to all income, the Opposition Deputies, when they were members of the Government, had no problem imposing 26% tax rates on people's incomes once an exemption equivalent to €95 was passed.

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