Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

The income levy was imposed as an emergency measure because of the financial circumstances the country was in. It was accepted on the basis that it would be dispensed with at some point. We are being asked to facilitate a con trick. We are being asked to pretend we are doing something that will give services to the public. We are about to concrete the income and health levies forever.

I can see an argument for breaking up the PRSI fund among the various health, pension and social welfare entitlements. That would have made sense to me. However, this universal social charge is an absolute con trick. I sincerely hope the public will see through it. How can the Minister for Health and Children stand over this income levy being consolidated into our tax code on an ongoing basis?

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