Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

To accept Deputy Bruton's amendment would cost €25 million this year and €50 million in a full year. The income levy as currently structured is highly progressive. Those who can afford it pay the most while the most vulnerable are protected in so far as possible. The levy payment amounts to 1.11% of gross income of the individual. The multiplicity of levies has become a patchwork quilt and requires consolidation.

Question, "That the figures proposed to be deleted stand", put and declared carried.

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