Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

-----and it was characterised by a misleading of the facts. The problem here is that these are the facts. The facts, I would readily accept, are simply not capable of being explained in the modern 30 second media cycle. It is not possible to do so.

Neither do I accept that these sit easily with the increasing tendency towards the politics of populism that is exhibited increasingly on the Opposition benches. I detect clearly that the public is getting a little wary of the wafer-thin veneer on Opposition politics and policies such as they are. When they look at the facts, they see, as the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, stated, that the severe budgetary measures we are taking are having a real effect. This is even the case in the international community where they were saying Ireland 12 months ago was the sick man of Europe unable to pay its way, with a big question mark over its sovereign debt and downgraded by the rating agencies. Twelve months later, because of this resolute action involving the severe contribution made by everybody, and particularly public servants, we are no longer in that position. That is to the credit of the Government and that should be acknowledged.

Every progressive tax system in the developed world is based on a number of simple core principles. First, the system ought to be transparent so that the taxpayer knows exactly what he or she pays and what everybody else pays, and it is clear and straightforward. It was not always the case. Second, the system does not discriminate unfairly between different classes of individuals and does not discriminate unfairly within particular classes of individuals. Third, and the most important feature which is accepted internationally as being a benchmark for all modern taxation systems, it must be progressive in the sense that it is progressively more burdensome on those who get paid more than those who get paid less, that taxation increases are increased proportionately as one goes higher up the scale. The figures for the take-home pay of civil and public servants in this country bear this simple fact out, that the measures the Government has introduced, unpopular, difficult and politically difficult to take though they were, have all the characteristics of being consistent with those principles of international budgetary parameters.

Despite the facts which no doubt bear out the Government's position, there was a preferred approach to all of this. Clearly, the Government did not want confrontation. We would have preferred to have a common approach with all the stakeholders, particularly the public and civil servants.

I hope this debate highlights two matters, the first of which is a progressive tendency in the Opposition benches towards pure populism at the expense of any fact. Second, it points out that, progressively, the difficult measures taken affect more those who get paid more - Secretaries General, minus 33.9%; those on the clerical officer level, minus 7.2%. I accept 7.2% is a great deal if one is on the clerical officer level. It is a big imposition, especially if one is struggling to make ends meet, but do not insult the Irish electorate and the Irish people by trying to portray repeatedly through the media, which in many respects is willing, the fact that those who get paid more are not shouldering their fair burden; they are actually taking greater cuts than those on lower pay. Those are the facts of the matter and I would ask the media to portray them more accurately in future.

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