Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Yes, I made a contribution myself but I was not present to hear Mr. David Went's speech. Deputy Burton is well aware that is often the case when Ministers address conferences. While I do not know the context in which Mr. David Went made his comments, for my part I want to make it clear there must be a proportionate contribution.

We must also remember the proportionate contribution made to date through adjustments in the tax burden. There has been a highly proportionate contribution made through the income levy, to which Deputy Gilmore referred. The fact is that those who earn most are paying by far the most in the income levy.

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